Encouraging Water Protection through Donation: Examining the Effects of Intention to Engage in Personal Water Conservation Behaviors on Donation Behaviors

• Published in: Water (Basel) Vol. 15; no. 13; p. 2365
• Main Authors: Erskine, Olivia M., Gibson, Kristin E., Lamm, Alexa J., Holt, Jessica
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.07.2023
• Subjects: Behavior; Climate change; Climatic changes; conservation behavior; Discretionary income; donation; Donations; Environmental associations; Environmental behavior; Identity; License plates; Nonprofit organizations; Organizations; River basins; sustainability; Volunteers; water; Water conservation; Water protection; Water quality; Water scarcity; Water shortages; Florida; Alabama; Georgia; Cahaba River; United States > US
• ISSN: 2073-4441; 2073-4441
• DOI: 10.3390/w15132365

In many parts of the world, water scarcity is increasing due to climate change and the deterioration of the quantity and quality of water sources. In the southeastern U.S., water conservation is of particular concern because of the decades-long water war between the states of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama over two shared river basins. Individuals can only do so much to conserve water in their home, but different forms of donations can contribute to larger efforts resulting in greater environmental impact. Using a conceptual framework connecting self-identity to water conservation contribution engagement, the purpose of this study was to determine if personal water conservation behavioral intent impacted contributions to organizations supporting water conservation so effective communication strategies can be developed. Previous studies connected self-identity and intention to engage in pro-environmental behaviors, but there is a lack of research on the connection to water conservation donation behavior. Respondents were recruited to take an online survey using non-probability opt-in sampling. Self-reported intent to engage in water conservation behaviors, current contribution behaviors (if they donate to an organization that protects water, are a member of a water conservation organization, own a specialty license plate that supports water conservation, and volunteer for water conservation events), and total family income in the past year were obtained. Data were analyzed using point-biserial correlations and binary logistic regressions. The results indicated personal water conservation behavioral intent was positively correlated to water conservation contribution behaviors. Personal water conservation behavioral intent and income level were significant predictors of contribution behaviors. Environmental communicators and educators should encourage those who identify as conservationists to increase their self-identity through contributing to organizations. Future research should be conducted to determine if actual versus perceived discretionary income and/or time is a predictor of contributions.