Article
Social and Geographic Contexts of Water Concerns in Utah
Society and Natural Resources
(2017)
Abstract
Public concerns about water issues are key considerations in
responding to changing hydrologic conditions. Literature is mixed
on the social profiles associated with resource-related risks. Using data
from a household survey, we compare concerns about water shortage,
climate change impacts on water supply, poor water quality, and
flooding. We assess the combined influence of social and locational
factors on each concern and variations across three valleys in northern
Utah. Generalized linear mixed modeling is used, given the ordinal
nature of most variables. Water shortage was the greatest concern,
and female, older, nonwhite, and recreationally active respondents
were generally more concerned about water issues than their
counterparts. Education, income, and religious identity presented
more complicated relationships with water concerns, with significant
interaction effects with valley geography. This study has implications
for improving public involvement in risk management and engendering
support for future water policy and planning strategies to address
these risks.
Keywords
- environmental concern,
- generalized linear mixed model,
- risk perception,
- water resources
Disciplines
Publication Date
January 19, 2017
DOI
10.1080/08941920.2016.1264653
Citation Information
Courtney G. Flint, Xin Dai, Douglas Jackson-Smith, Joanna Endter-Wada, et al.. "Social and Geographic Contexts of Water Concerns in Utah" Society and Natural Resources Vol. 30 Iss. 8 (2017) p. 885 - 902 ISSN: 1521-0723 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/courtney_flint/148/