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Mechanism by Which Environmental Education Influences Pro-Environmental Behavior in Wuyishan National Park, China

Author

Listed:
  • Xinyi Wu

    (College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Weiguo Jia

    (College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Tianyu Wu

    (College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

Abstract

Environmental education is one of the main functions of China’s national parks, and it also plays a crucial role in the construction of an ecological civilization. Compared with the rest of Asia, the inception of national parks in China occurred relatively late, and fostering tourists’ pro-environmental behavior is a challenging endeavor. According to the theoretical paradigm of stimulus–organism–response (SOR), in this study, we selected place attachment, environmental attitude, and environmental quality to construct a theoretical model of the relationship between the perception of environmental education and pro-environmental behavior. We conducted a sample survey of 728 tourists who had been to Wuyishan National Park and constructed a structural equation model. Our findings indicate the following: (1) pro-environmental behavior is directly and significantly promoted by one’s perception of environmental education, place attachment, and environmental attitude; (2) place attachment and environmental attitude play an intermediary role between one’s perception of environmental education and pro-environmental behavior; and (3) the quality of the external environment positively influences the correlation between one’s perception of environmental education and place attachment. This study provides solutions and suggestions for Wuyishan National Park to improve the effectiveness of environmental education regarding tourists’ pro-environmental behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Xinyi Wu & Weiguo Jia & Tianyu Wu, 2024. "Mechanism by Which Environmental Education Influences Pro-Environmental Behavior in Wuyishan National Park, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-22, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2024:i:1:p:43-:d:1553100
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Lin Meng & Wentao Si, 2022. "Pro-Environmental Behavior: Examining the Role of Ecological Value Cognition, Environmental Attitude, and Place Attachment among Rural Farmers in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-24, December.
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    4. Wei Fu & Bin Zhou, 2024. "Theme Exploration and Sentiment Analysis of Online Reviews of Wuyishan National Park," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-17, May.
    5. Yongli Tian & Yuchang Jin & Yadi Zhao & Yifan Du & Sicen Shen & Junxiu An, 2024. "Analysis of Knowledge Graph: Hotspots and Future Trends in Environmental Education Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-18, March.
    6. Jian Xu & Ruixia Han, 2019. "The Influence of Place Attachment on Pro-Environmental Behaviors: The Moderating Effect of Social Media," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-16, December.
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    8. Kersti Pärna & Kaja Rahu & Noël Barengo & Mati Rahu & Patrick Sandström & Vesa Jormanainen & Markku Myllykangas, 2005. "Comparison of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour regarding smoking among Estonian and Finnish physicians," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 50(6), pages 378-388, December.
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