Survey of Student Perceptions about the Environment

1. Do you think overall environmental quality (air quality, water quality, land use, etc.) in Canada over the past twenty years, has been:

q increasing q decreasing q staying the same

2. Do you think air quality in Canada over the past twenty years has been:

q increasing q decreasing q staying the same

3. In recent years, do you think air quality in your province has been:

q increasing q decreasing q staying the same

4. In recent years, has the amount of wood harvested exceeded the amount of new growth in Canadian forests?

q yes q no

5. Most of my knowledge about environmental topics comes from:

q parents
q books outside of school
q school (textbooks, lectures etc.)
q media (television, newspapers, magazines)
q conversations with peers
q other (please specify) ____________________________________________________________________________

6. In your opinion, what is the most serious environmental problem facing Canadians today? (for example, deforestation, global warming, water quality, air quality, etc.) ________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

7. a) What percent of the land base in Canada do you think is urban? _______________%

b) What percent of the land base in Canada do you think is agricultural? __________%

c) What percent of the land base in Canada do you think is protected? ____________%

Note: Total will not add up to 100% as there are other categories (wetland, tundra etc.)

8. Do you believe that El Niño and the recent ice-storm in Montreal are symptoms of global warming?

q yes q no

9. Across the world, do you believe economic growth leads to environmental deterioration or an improvement in environmental quality?

q deterioration in environmental quality
q improvement in environmental quality

10. Do free trade agreements like NAFTA contribute to environmental degradation or improve environmental quality?

q contribute to degradation
q improve environmental quality

11. Do you believe that Canada needs to expand public recycling programs in order to control waste and prevent a "garbage crisis"?

q yes q no

12. Do you belong to any environmental organizations?

q yes q no

13. Do you think it is likely that the world will run out of oil:

q in less than 5 years q in 5-10 years q in 10-25 years q not in your lifetime

14. Do you believe that Canada should pass tough legislation to protect endangered species even if it violates private property rights?

q yes q no

15. Is acid rain a serious threat to Canadian forests?

q yes q no

16. Given that government will be involved in some basic standard setting, what do you believe is the best way to administer those standards and protect the environment?

q a market-based approach (tradable pollution permits, enforcing private property rights, encouraging
economic growth and free trade)
q through government (specific, detailed regulations)

17. Do you expect environmental quality to improve or deteriorate over the next ten years?

q improve q deteriorate q stay the same
Why?___________________________________________________________________________________________

18. How interested are you in environmental topics?

q very interested q somewhat interested q not interested

19. Can you name a book or article that most influenced your thinking on environmental topics? __________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. Can you name a prominent environmentalist who has influenced your thinking about the environment?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

21. What was the main subject of discussion at the 1997 Kyoto summit? _______________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Personal Information

Are you: q male q female

Where do you currently live? City ______________________________________ Province ________________________

How old are you? ________________________

What is your major area of study? _______________________________________________________________________