Risk Perception Study on Garbage Issue and Coastal ...sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/openmtg/docs/ohe.pdf · Risk Perception Study on Garbage Issue and Coastal Pollution in Holbox Island,

Risk Perception Study on Garbage Risk Perception Study on Garbage Issue and Coastal Pollution in Issue and Coastal Pollution in

Holbox Island, Yucatan, MexicoHolbox Island, Yucatan, Mexico

Mizue Ohe1, Kim Chi Tran1, Eloy Gil Trava2

1School of Policy Studies, Kwansei Gakuin University, Hyogo, Japan

2CINVESTAV-Merida, Merida, Mexico

Holbox, Yucatan, MexicoHolbox, Yucatan, Mexico

Holbox Island, Yucatan, MexicoHolbox Island, Yucatan, Mexico

Holbox Island

Yucatan Peninsula

Mexico City

U.S.

Study AreaStudy Area

• Northeast of Yucatan Peninsular• Population: about 1500 habitants and

“floating” population• Limited infrastructure• Unplanned tourism• Unplanned rapid urban development

Principal ObjectivePrincipal Objective

To find a mechanism of involving the local community into an environmental conservation project on a sustainable, long term basis

Three components of our studyThree components of our study• Scientific component: Coastal water

quality• Social component: public perception on

coastal pollution and other development issues

• Capacity building: local community involvement in coastal pollution monitoring and beach profile monitoring

Water Sampling (Mar. 2002)Water Sampling (Mar. 2002)

Points of Water SamplingPoints of Water Sampling

-87°33’ -87°30’ -87°27’ -87°24’ -87°21’ -87°18’ -87°15’ -87°12’ -87°09’ -87°06’

21°24’

21°27’

21°30’

21°33’

21°36’

1 2

3

4

56

7

8 9

10

11 12

13

1415 16

19

20

21

22

232425

262728293031

32

333435 36 37

38 39

4041

42

43

44

Yalahau Lagoon

Holbox Island

Yucatan Peninsula

Holbox

Questionnaire (Sep. 2003)Questionnaire (Sep. 2003)

Survey to study public perception on Survey to study public perception on environmental/development issuesenvironmental/development issues

• Sample: 300 people (Colleted 253). • Aim to to know: What people think about

coastal pollution issues and the possible causes and consequences; how they consider that their own behaviour can affect water quality; and how the local inhabitants want participate in actions to solve or mitigate coastal pollution.

Questionnaire (Gender, Age)Questionnaire (Gender, Age)

11.5

26.9 26.9

17.4

7.1

3.20.8 0.4

5.9

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

15 - 1920 - 2930 - 3940 - 4950 - 5960 - 6970 - 79

Over 80

Age

%54.9%

42.3%

2.8%

MaleFemale

Risk Ranking: How important for Holbox?Risk Ranking: How important for Holbox?

What are problems at beaches and coasts?What are problems at beaches and coasts?

WhereWhere has marine water been polluted?has marine water been polluted?

Since when has coastal water been polluted?Since when has coastal water been polluted?

population

1,500

300

How do you mainly know that coastal How do you mainly know that coastal water has been polluted?water has been polluted?

What causes coastal water pollution?What causes coastal water pollution?

What will be consequences of coastal What will be consequences of coastal water pollution?water pollution?

Who should take initiative to solve or Who should take initiative to solve or mitigate coastal water pollution?mitigate coastal water pollution?

Actions to solve or mitigate coastal water Actions to solve or mitigate coastal water pollutionpollution

ConclusionConclusion• Coastal pollution, coastal erosion, and marine

water pollution are rather highly perceived, among various social / environmental issues.

• People realize the relationship between their behaviors, coastal pollution, and the consequences, but still need more information and long term view.

• People have willingness but need opportunities to be involved.

Community Meeting (Sep. 2003)Community Meeting (Sep. 2003)

TeachersTeachers’’ Meeting (Aug. 2002)Meeting (Aug. 2002)

Risk communication studyRisk communication study

Community meetings with:• representatives of local government,

cooperatives, an NGO, fishermen, tour guides, house holders, etc.

• women at home• children at school→ Environmental seminars to local people

with the results of marine water quality and questionnaire, in March, 2004.

Coastal Erosion (Sep. 2003)Coastal Erosion (Sep. 2003)

Coast Measuring (Mar. 2003)Coast Measuring (Mar. 2003)

Garbage Dumping Site (Aug. 2002)Garbage Dumping Site (Aug. 2002)

Garbage Dumping Site (Mar. 2003)Garbage Dumping Site (Mar. 2003)

Garbage Dumping Site (Sep. 2003)Garbage Dumping Site (Sep. 2003)

Local community participation and Local community participation and sustainable developmentsustainable development

• In our project, the public participation in the environmental conservation is a mean to sustainable development through the awareness and knowledge about environment/development issues and activities in the project

→ community is empowered and can take an active role in the development of their island.

Thank you very much.Thank you very much.