Flow on Effects to Other Sustainable Behaviour Changes

Although it isn't "research" providing evidence, there is a Master's Thesis from Fielding Graduate University by Coleen Douglas that coins the term "cumulative epiphanies." This implies that most people need many small epiphanies about sustainability before they can shift to a deeper consciousness of it. There is a parallel concept in marketing and advertising that would certainly have empirically researched evidence of how marketing efforts need to be seen a certain number of times in the subconscious before they register in the conscious.

Eric Johnson
Principal
Alderspruce Sustainability Consulting Group
United States

Hi Emily and others
WWF produced an excellent discussion about spillover effects just recently called Simple and Painless, which contains a thorough review of the relevant research. It can be downloaded at
http://www.wwf.org.uk/research_centre/research_centre_results.cfm?uNewsID=2728

Tim

Tim Cotter
Awake
Australia
www.awake.com.au

I'm interested in "spillover" effects, too... So far I have found a brief review in Raymond De Young's article in the Journal of Social Issues, Fall, 2000; see here http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0341/is_/ai_69391501/ (I believe the relevant section starts on page 3).

Jennifer Shephard
Harvard University
United States

I have never come across any research linking different environmental behaviours (e.g. cyclists recycling and saving energy), I think that I have heard of evidence that says that there are no links. I would love for others to prove me wrong.

There is, however, this report linking behaviours at work and at home: http://www.uk.logicalis.com/news/documents/SwitchedOnTurnedOffSurvey.pdf

Ann

Ann Cousins
Australia

Thank you, Norm.

Willow Lundgren
Owner
Small Planet Partners
United States
www.smallplanetpartners.com

Hi Willow,

I'm not aware of any research showing carryover of recycling/reuse/reduce/rethink attitudes, and/or behaviour from school to home (or vice versa).

It would seem to make sense though, and in fact much of the reason for school and other learning programs is given as awareness leading to understanding leading to committment leading to behaviour change.

And human craniums are not segmented into 'school part' and 'home part' so one would expect that a 'thought' created at school would be available to a child at home.

But I don't recall seeing any proof.

Norm

Norm Ruttan
President
iWasteNot Systems
Canada
www.iwastenotsystems.com

Hi Emily and Norm,

I'm curious as well about how sustainable behavior and experiences among schoolchildren (ideally elementary v middle school v high school) impacts family sustainable behavior.

Aware of any research along those lines, please?

Sincerely,

Willow Lundgren
Owner
Small Planet Partners
United States

Hi Emily,

There's one study I'm aware of on the subject of recycling at work carrying over to recycling at home. It's been a while since I read it, and I haven't been able to easily put my finger on it. However, if you think it's worthwhile, I'll have a harder look for it.

Secondly, Interface Carpets, the "Ray Anderson" company reportely pays for home energy efficiency surveys for employees, in the belief that what employees do at home carries over into the workplace. So perhaps Interface has some background information about this, (if you wrote to them). H.Q. is Georgia, USA.

Norm Ruttan
iWasteNot Systems
Canada
www.iwastenotsystems.com