Impact of oil and gas drilling in Trinidad: factors influencing environmental attitudes and behaviours within three rural wetland communities

A. KAREN BAPTISTE and BRENDA J NORDENSTAM

Environmental Conservation, Volume 36, Issue 01, March 2009, pp 14 - 21

Environmental Awareness Survey

Kernahan, Cascadoux and Caratal

Demographics

The following personal information will help us to understand how different groups of people view the wetlands

1. Gender□ Male□ Female

2. What is the year of your birth? ______

3. How long have you lived in Nariva/Biche region ______

4. How long have you lived in the (village) area ______

5. Do you own land in the village area□ Yes□ No

6. What is your ethnic background?

□ Afro-Trinidadian □ Indo-Trinidadian□ Other

□ Mixed (Dougla)□ Chinese

7. In your household who is considered the head of the household?

□ Male□ Female

8. a. Do you have any children?□ Yes□ No

b. If yes, what are their ages? ______

9. Please indicate the three main types of work do you do for a living

Type / Please Check
Fishing
Farming
Hunting
Eco-tours
Other

10. Comparing the three types of work identified in the previous question, which provide more food for the household?

Fi / Fa / H / E / O
Fi
Fa
H
E
O

11. Comparing the three types of work identified in question 9, which contribute the most to the household income?

Fi / Fa / H / E / O
Fi
Fa
H
E
O

12. Comparing the three types of work identified in question 9, which activity takes the most amount of time of the household members for the year?

Fi / Fa / H / E / O
Fi
Fa
H
E
O

13. a. Will you be willing to participate in a follow-up group meeting if chosen randomly?

□ Yes□ No

b. If yes please provide your name and contact information (phone or address)

______

c. If yes what will be the most convenient time for you to meet?

A.i. □ Morning (9am to 12 noon) B.i. □ Weekday

(Monday to Friday)

A.ii. □ Afternoon (1pm to 5pm) B.ii. □ Weekends

(Saturday and Sunday)

A.iii. □ Night (5pm to 7pm) B.iii. □ Anytime

14. ECS – Environmental Concern Scale specific to Oil and Gas Development (adopted from Schultz) – Represents concern about valued objects, and is therefore considered to be representative of value orientation.

I will like to know how dangerous oil and gas drilling is to a number of different things in the environment. Please rate each of the following items from 1 (not dangerous) to 7 (very dangerous) in response to the question using the scale that is provided:

A.How dangerous is oil and gas drilling to the following items:

a. Plants b. Marine life c. Birds

d. Me e. My lifestyle f. All people

g. People in my community h. Animals i. My future

j. My health k. All children l. Children

15. In this section we will like to know the environmental problems that you think maybe associated with oil and gas development in swamps. Please indicate by pointing to the scale drawing, your level of disagreement or agreement with the following statement (1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree, 4 =unsure)

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
a. It is important to preserve and protect swamps for our children and grandchildren / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
b. Development (buildings, roads, lights, water, etc) is more important than protecting swamps / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
c. Health problems and other diseases can be caused by oil and gas drilling / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
d. Oil and gas drilling can take place in swamps without harming them / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
e. Oil and gas drilling can cause pollution (air, water, soil) / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □

16. Environmental Behavior

Please indicate by pointing to the scale drawing how often you engage in the following activities (1 = never, 7 = often, 4 = sometimes)

Activity / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
a. Use small to moderate amounts plants from the Nariva swamp (e.g. flowers, ornamental, medicinal etc) / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
b. Enjoy the beauty of the area / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
c. Take (boat rides, nature walks, hikes ) tours of the Nariva swamp / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
d. Engage in activities primarily for enjoyment (bird-watching, enjoy observing nature plants, animals) / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
e. Protect the Nariva swamp (petitions, contacting local governmental officials about the swamp, attend meetings, cleanup the swamp, tell others about the swamp, keep others from harming the swamp) / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □

To what degree do you agree with the following statements? (1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree, 4 =unsure)

17. I will support policies: / 1 / 2 / 4 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
a. That require the government to more closely monitor and watch oil and gas development in swamp areas / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
b. To regulate and limit oil and gas development / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
c. To protect swamps from oil and gas development / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
18. Overall if you had a choice, to what degree will you support the oil and gas development to be located in the Nariva swamp? / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □

19. Do you have anything further that you will like to share with me?

Thank you for participating in my survey!!!