Residents around the natural park are more aware of environmental protection

The residents around the natural park have more convenient conditions to get close to the nature. Do they have a stronger sense of environmental protection than the citizens in metropolis? According to the latest research by scientists from France's national research center and the University of Montpellier, the answer is yes.

For the first time, the French research team has confirmed that nature reserves can have a direct impact on the residents nearby, and can enhance their "environment friendly" behaviors and attitudes. Researchers believe that natural parks can establish and protect the connection between human and nature, which makes local residents more sensitive to environmental issues and think more about their relationship with nature.

In order to assess the ecological awareness of different groups in France, scientists conducted research from three perspectives: the achievements of candidates for environmental protection in Municipal Council elections; the support of residents to environmental associations (such as WWF, French Bird Conservation Union, etc.); the participation of ecological science and technology activities in various regions (such as the National Museum of natural history and the French Bird Conservation Union. "Bird Garden" project). These three parameters can be used as an important indicator to analyze the environmental awareness of people in France.

The results show that residents living near national or regional level natural parks have higher environmental awareness. Specifically, by comparing the surrounding communities of the natural park with the towns more than 100 kilometers away from the nature reserve, the average score of the former's environmental protection candidates is higher than the latter by 31%, and the number of the former's people participating in environmental protection organizations is twice that of the latter.

Researchers believe that the natural park landscape is more primitive, which can stimulate local residents to have greater interest and sensitivity in nature. In the future, the research team also plans to further refine the analysis, including more geographical factors such as mountains, pastures, distance from metropolis and so on.

This is the first time in the world to systematically study the environmental protection awareness of residents in different regions at the national level. The conclusion is of great significance for countries to strengthen environmental protection. In order to enhance people's awareness of environmental protection, while encouraging people to think about the relationship between man and nature, it is necessary to promote natural parks to play a greater role in the future.