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The Trustworthiness of Zoos and Aquariums on Climate Change Topics. John Fraser fraser@ilinet.org. Understanding, fostering, and promoting lifelong learning. Trust/Legitimacy/Expectation. Trust as an Information Source. Strongly Strongly Disagree Agree.
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The Trustworthiness of Zoos and Aquariums on Climate Change Topics John Fraser fraser@ilinet.org Understanding, fostering, and promoting lifelong learning
Trust as an Information Source Strongly Strongly Disagree Agree
Institutions as Sources of Information on Climate Change (General Public)
Institutions as Sources of Information on Climate Change (Educators)
Educators especially value zoos and aquariums as an information source for endangered animals, as places for educating students about animals and habitats, and as an information source for wildlife conservation and protection. Educators Sources of Environmental Information?
Sources of Environmental Information? Educators place the lowest comparative degree of value on zoos and aquariums as information sources for water and energy conservation in homes, as information sources for global climate change, and as information sources for recycling. Educators
Volunteers What’s Going On? Compared to the American population, zoo/aquarium volunteers are far more concerned about the environment in general and on specific issues like pollution and global climate change. They are also significantly more likely to: 1) donate more money to conservation causes 2) express willingness to forego some quality of life to protect the environment 3) support taxes and costs to protect nature
If the zoo gave you information on global climate change (e.g., global warming), please rate how much you would trust that information: . Urban Zoo Trust?
Urban Zoo Receptivity? Zoo visitors were still very open to the environmental information presented by the zoo. When asked, “How comfortable do you feel with hearing messages from the zoo about the environmental impact of your behavior”, 93.2% of respondents indicated that they were comfortable with the environmental messages they hear from the zoo.
Zoos and aquariums are not perceived as primary generators of knowledge. Authority is associated with ability to reliably translate science information in a balanced manner. Media Receptivity?
Aquariums are expected to protect the ocean and its species. Youth are more accepting of the concept of climate change. About half of visitors expect to hear messages about climate change. Impact America and the Ocean 2009
Authority Legitimate Authority Knowledge about animals in the collections. Translators of environmental information about animals. Trusted collaborators with environmental scientists.
Implications Legitimate Authority
Thank you. John Fraser fraser@ilinet.org Understanding, fostering, and promoting lifelong learning