Eco-anxiety and Noosa Tree Planting Study

While the literature has described the symptoms of eco-anxiety and responses as adaptive and maladaptive, there have been limited empirical studies into the relationship between eco-anxiety and pro-environmental behaviour nor the effect of specific interventions/programs on people’s level of eco-anxiety. This proposed study will investigate the general relationship between eco-anxiety and pro-environmental behaviour through an Australia – wide survey. It will consider the drivers of pro-environmental behaviour as identified by relevant theories, including values and beliefs and their relationship with levels of eco-anxiety. The study will then investigate the relationship between a specific pro-environmental behaviour intervention (namely tree planting to offset vehicle emissions) and the level of eco-anxiety in a group of participants aged16 years and over within the Noosa Shire (Queensland, Australia). This second part of the study comprises a pre and post survey of participants undertaking an intervention namely a tree planting program. These results will be compared to the survey results of a wait -list control group that do not participate in the intervention. Selected participants in the tree planting program will undertake interviews. Qualitative thematic analysis of the interview data will provide an in-depth understanding of the level of eco-anxiety across the participants and, the impact of the tree-planting program. The study will utilise mixed methods underpinned by a pragmatist worldview to understand the participants’ experience of eco-anxiety and pro-environmental behaviour. The study will comprise several data collection points, commencing with a quantitative Australia wide survey, to understand the general level of eco-anxiety across Australia and the propensity to participate in pro-environmental behaviour.