Škofja Loka Residents’ Feelings of Insecurity Caused by Environmental Changes
Purpose:
The purpose of the study is to analyse feelings of insecurity, which may appear due to negative environmental changes in the municipality of Škofja Loka. This study compares such feelings of the residents of Škofja Loka with the feelings of the Slovenian residents. According to the results, the suggestions for improvement on municipal and state level are given.
Design/Methods/Approach:
Data for this research have been compiled by a questionnaire, which was distributed among residents of Škofja Loka. Data collecting lasted between January and February 2015. Essential tools that have been used to validate the hypotheses were t-test, multiple regression and discrimination analysis. T-test was applied to validate the answers about feelings and attitudes related to awareness, environmental changes and opinions about serious health issues. Multiple regression was used to validate the answers about feelings toward environmental and ecological threats. Inequality between genders has been validated by discrimination function analysis. Results of this research were compared with the results of Slovenian Public Opinion Survey 2011, which was conducted by The Public Opinion and Mass Communication Research Centre.
Findings:
The residents of Škofja Loka feel most threatened by contaminated water and soil and they believe they are not well-informed about environmental changes. However, they do feel safe enough in case a large ecological disaster would happen. The residents of Škofja Loka feel they can take part in reducing negative environmental changes. On the contrary, the residents of Slovenia do not feel they have much influence on such kind of environmental problems. Finally, the residents of Škofja Loka are afraid of negative environmental changes, but they do not feel threatened by them at the moment.
Research Limitations / Implications:
We used convenience sample of 131 residents, therefore we cannot generalise the results to the overall population of Škofja Loka. However, the results presented in this study can still be used to a certain extend as an indicator of the state of the affairs.
Practical Implications:
Although convenience sample has been used, this survey can still serve as a good starting point for wider research that would be appropriate to improve and upgrade the measures and residents’ awareness about environmental risks.
Originality/Value:
This survey offers useful starting point for further research about feelings of insecurity, caused by negative environmental change on local and state level.
UDC: UDC: 343.3/.7:504
Keywords: feeling of insecurity, negative environmental changes, environmental crime, municipality of Škofja Loka