Social and Geographic Contexts of Water Concerns in Utah |
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| Authors: | Courtney G Flint Xin Dai Douglas Jackson-Smith Joanna Endter-Wada Sara K Yeo Rebecca Hale |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA;2. Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA;3. School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, USA;4. Department of Environment and Society, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA;5. Department of Communication, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA;6. Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho, USA |
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| 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. |
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| Keywords: | Environmental concern generalized linear mixed model risk perception water resources |
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