Environmental Responsibility Under Stress and War: The Commitment of Environmentally Engaged Individuals to Environmental Protection Decreases During Periods of Stress and War

In recent years, awareness of environmental issues has grown significantly. This awareness is evident in the increase in academic research on this topic, social initiatives that focus on environmental issues, and programs promoting environmental literacy. At the same time, there is growing recognition of the accumulating environmental damage caused by individuals’ choices and habits and the threat this poses to ecosystems and sustainability. Numerous studies have explored various facets of environmental literacy to promote pro-environmental behavior, which is essential for tackling the environmental challenges of the 21st century. Over the past few decades, research in the social sciences has investigated the influence of war on crime and delinquency rates. Additionally, studies have measured the impacts of war, terrorism, and stress on mental health and social relationships. Ecological research has also examined the relationship between war and environmental degradation, highlighting the impact on ecosystems, infrastructure destruction, and the long-term environmental consequences. To the best of our knowledge, however, no research has examined how stress and war influence individuals’ sense of environmental responsibility. The aim of this qualitative research was to examine the influence of stress and war on both environmentally engaged individuals and those indifferent to the environment, focusing on their sense of environmental responsibility and its practical expressions. Twenty-four participants were categorized into two groups: environmentally engaged and environmentally indifferent. The findings indicate that the commitment of environmentally engaged individuals to environmental protection decreased during periods of stress and war. This decline can be attributed to more immediate concerns for survival. The participants reported that this change was temporary; as calm returned, their level of commitment reverted to its previous state. Among the environmentally indifferent, no change occurred in their level of commitment to environmental protection, which was consistently low before, during, and after situations of stress and war. Additional findings indicate that the social environment plays a crucial role in fostering environmental responsibility and protection. A supportive social environment has a positive influence on individuals, while indifference or opposition can harm their sense of environmental responsibility. Our research findings also suggest that both environmentally oriented and environmentally indifferent individuals primarily focus on recycling and waste separation when they refer to pro-environmental behavior.