Perceptions of visibility degradation in Hong Kong |
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Authors: | Ricci PH Yue Harry F Lee Melissa A Hart |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Geography, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong;2. International Centre for China Development Study, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong;3. ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science and Climate Change Research Centre, The University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia |
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Abstract: | The human dimensions of visibility degradation remain under-researched academically. Based on Zube and Sell's Process Model of the Perception of, and Response to, Environmental Change, a questionnaire survey was conducted in Hong Kong between 5 June 2012 and 26 January 2013 (n = 1,203). The respondents’ perceptions towards visibility degradation were collected. The results show that respondents were moderately knowledgeable to visibility degradation, perceiving the problem as anthropogenic and unfavorable and identifying the fight against the degradation as an important environmental issue. It is further deduced that the respondents’ physical and sociocultural attributes, and the way they gain information about visibility degradation, can affect their perceptions of visibility degradation. The results reveal that improving information channels can positively promote human sensitivity to and understanding of visibility degradation in order to mitigate it. Yet, any attempts to educate the lay public should not assume the existence of a homogenous community of like-minded people. |
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Keywords: | visibility degradation vista perception human dimension environmental management |
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