Preocupación y conducta ecológica responsable en estudiantes universitarios: estudio comparativo entre estudiantes chilenos y españoles / Environmental concern and ecological responsible behavior in university students: A comparative analysis between Chilean and Spanish students

Se discutirán los resultados de un estudio piloto, que forma parte de un proyecto mayor, orientado al análisis transcultural de la preocupación ambiental y su relación con la conducta ecológica. El propósito de este artículo es mostrar los resultados obtenidos de la aplicación del instrumento creado en España para probarlo en la realidad chilena, donde no se contaba con un instrumento pertinente que evaluara estos factores a nivel local. El método contempla la comparación de los resultados entre estudiantes chilenos (n=88) y españoles (n=149), a quienes se les aplica un cuestionario de conducta y preocupación ambiental. Los resultados indican diferencias entre ambos grupos, los cuales se analizan en función del modelo de conceptualización multidimensional de la preocupación por el medio ambiente manifestada en cuatro tipologías actitudinales: apático, antropocéntrico, conectado y afinidad emocional (Amérigo et al., 2012). Se considera, de igual forma, el papel importante de las variables culturales y psicosociales involucradas en los resultados. En las conclusiones se describe la importancia de contar con instrumentos que permitan iniciar estudios en el contexto chileno en el área, considerando los factores contextuales, como la agudización de la crisis ambiental en el país, la preocupación ciudadana sobre la situación y la necesidad de realizar estudios transculturales para seguir profundizando en el conocimiento de la temática a nivel mundial

As part of a pilot study aimed at the transcultural analysis of environmental concern and its relationship with ecological behavior, a questionnaire assessing these was developed in Spain, and tested in Spain and in Chile. Chilean (n=88) and Spanish (n=149) students filled out the questionnaire. The results were analysed according to the model of multidimensional conceptualisation of concern for the environment manifested in 4 types of attitude: apathetic, anthropocentric, connected and emotional affinity (Amérigo et al., 2012). Results differed between the two groups, and cultural and psychosocial variables appear to play a significant role in this. This suggest that it is important to have instruments that facilitate environmental studies in the Chilean context, and to take contextual factors (such as the exacerbation of the country's environmental crisis and citizens’ concern about the situation) into account in such studies. Transcultural studies are key to deepening our understanding of the subject at the worldwide level

Criterios para mejorar la gestión y comunicación ambiental en la administración pública. Una investigación mixta en la ciudad de Madrid (España) / Criteria to Improve the Environmental Management and Communication in Public Administration. A Mixed Investigation in the City of Madrid (Spain)

Se presentan dos estudios complementarios que tienen como objetivo analizar la gestión ambiental del municipio de Madrid, desde una perspectiva que considera diversas miradas: la ciudadana, la de los técnicos y la experta. Se ha utilizado el método mixto, que considera tanto técnicas cualitativas como cuantitativas para la recolección de datos. Entre otras, se recurrió al análisis documental, revisión de quejas ciudadanas presentadas al sistema de Sugerencias y Reclamaciones (SyR) del ayuntamiento (N = 932) y la realización de entrevistas a expertos y gestores locales. Los resultados entregan datos que permiten verificar problemas en la gestión y comunicación municipal que perpetúan los conflictos ambientales. En las conclusiones, se valora el rol de la educación ambiental como complemento de otros mecanismos inherentes a la administración (gestión, legislación, inversión). Se generan propuestas para mejorar la gestión ambiental desde la mayor participación y la comunicación con los ciudadanos, como forma de desarrollar acciones educativas y una gestión ambiental más eficiente desde la administración pública.

Two complementary studies, in which experts, technicians and citizens are consulted regarding communication campaigns and environmental management conducted by the City Council of Madrid. A mixed method is developed (qualitative and quantitative techniques) with interviews, educational campaigns and review of citizens' complaints to the municipality (N = 932). The results highlight some problems within local management and communication that maintain environmental conflicts. The conclusions seek to increase the value of environmental education and their different strategies, consistent in complementarity with other mechanisms inherent to public administration (management, legislation, investment). Some proposals are delivered to improve the management of resources and increase efficiency by the development of educational campaigns and communication with the citizens of this government.

Involvement of citizens in hazardous waste management and use of recycling centres in the city of Madrid (Spain).

In Spain, hazardous household waste management by citizens occurs via fixed recycling centres (FRC) and mobile recycling centres (MRC) which usually depend on local governments. This paper addresses a request by the Madrid City Council, in an attempt to improve the service it provides to the city of Madrid. The aim of the study involved analysing the information people possess in relation to hazardous waste and to the use of available equipment, and conducting a post-evaluation of the effectiveness of an environmental communication campaign conducted by the Madrid City Council and aimed at providing awareness of the existence of new FRCs and MRCs. To this end, a questionnaire was conducted with 5644 inhabitants of the city of Madrid. Qualitative data was categorized using content analysis followed by chi-squared tests, considering some socio-demographic characteristics of the sample, such as age or place of residence (district). Communication campaigns influenced citizen awareness of what constituted hazardous waste, of how to properly separate waste and of the existence of FRCs and MRCs. However, few citizens actually used FRCs or MRC (18% across four districts), a fact that might be related to a lack of knowledge of downstream waste treatment issues, or to self-limiting hindrances to householders, such as distance to recycling centres. It is recommended that future communication campaigns investigate householder needs and pre-conceptions in relation to recycling, as well as tailored education aimed at addressing the barriers, perceived or otherwise, facing citizens.