Sustainability Literacy Survey

We appreciate your help...

The Partnership for a Green City (a sustainability collaboration of Louisville Metro Government, Jefferson County Public Schools, Jefferson Community & Technical College and the University of Louisville) has created this survey to see how much people know about sustainability within the Louisville Metro/Kentuckiana area. Individual responses are confidential, but data gathered will help inform our sustainability initiatives. The survey should take approximately 10 - 15 minutes to complete. Answers are required on the demographic items signified by an asterisk. This provides us with information we will use to tailor training or address needs within the partners as well as residents in the City at large.

The questions used in this survey have been used in other survey instruments - with the exception of the questions specific to Louisville Metro.

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* 1. Which of the following is the most commonly used definition of sustainable development?

Creating a government welfare system that ensures universal access to education, healthcare and social services

Setting aside resources for preservation never to be used

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Building a neighborhood that is both socio-demographically and economically diverse

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* 2. What do you consider the top environmental problems in Louisville Metro? (You may select more than one)

Air quality

Water quality

Urban Sprawl

Flooding

Soil Contamination

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* 3. The world population is currently 7.5 billion people. What was the world population in 1987?

3 billion

4 billion

5 billion

6 billion

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* 4. Air quality alerts are periodically issued in Louisville Metro when the following chemical is projected to exceed health standards?

Oxygen

Ozone

Carbon Monoxide

Nitrogen

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* 5. For each of the following statements, please indicate whether you believe it is true or false

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* 6. In Louisville Metro, what is your opinion of the overall

	Poor	Fair	Good	Excellent
Air Quality	Air Quality Poor	Air Quality Fair	Air Quality Good	Air Quality Excellent
Water Quality	Water Quality Poor	Water Quality Fair	Water Quality Good	Water Quality Excellent

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* 7. What is the most common cause of pollution of streams and rivers?

Dumping of garbage by cities

Surface waters running off yards, city streets, paved lots and farm fields

Litter near streams and rivers

Wastewater from factories

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* 8. The predominant method of disposing of municipal solid waste in Louisville Metro is by?

Incineration

Composting

Landfilling

Recycling

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* 9. The most important strategy for our energy future is:

Develop alternative renewable energy sources

Developing technology to make the mining and burning of coal better for the environment

Increase conservation efforts

Don't know

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* 10. Which of the following is not a fossil fuel?

Coal

Petroleum

Natural Gas

Wood

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* 11. Contributing to the urban heat island effect is/are?

Heat absorption by pavement and rooftops

Exhaust from automobiles

Releases from air conditioners

All of the above

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* 12. Since the 1960s, water quality in the US has improved primarily because:

Federal regulation of polluters

Voluntary actions by polluters

Public Education

It has not improved

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* 13. Heat Islands can be minimized by:

Using lighter colored roofing materials

Planting trees

Using cement rather than asphalt for parking lots and roads

All of the above

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* 14. What is the potential effect of global climate change?

Loss of habitat

Less severe weather

Loss of Ozone level

Decrease of sea level

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* 15. Which of the following is an example of sustainable forest management?

Setting aside forests to be off limits to the public

Never harvesting more than the forest produces in new growth

Producing lumber for nearby communities to build affordable housing

Putting the local communities in charge of forest reserves

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* 16. The most significant driver in the loss of species and ecosystems around the world is:

Over hunting/over harvesting

Conversion of natural spaces into human development

Pesticides

Climate Change

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* 17. Please rate the frequency that you do the following behaviors

	Never	Rarely	Usually	Always
Choose mass transit as a means of local travel	Choose mass transit as a means of local travel Never	Choose mass transit as a means of local travel Rarely	Choose mass transit as a means of local travel Usually	Choose mass transit as a means of local travel Always
Use car/van pool for travel to work or school	Use car/van pool for travel to work or school Never	Use car/van pool for travel to work or school Rarely	Use car/van pool for travel to work or school Usually	Use car/van pool for travel to work or school Always
Choose bicycling for local travel	Choose bicycling for local travel Never	Choose bicycling for local travel Rarely	Choose bicycling for local travel Usually	Choose bicycling for local travel Always
Choose walking for local travel	Choose walking for local travel Never	Choose walking for local travel Rarely	Choose walking for local travel Usually	Choose walking for local travel Always
Consider the working conditions of product producers before buying	Consider the working conditions of product producers before buying Never	Consider the working conditions of product producers before buying Rarely	Consider the working conditions of product producers before buying Usually	Consider the working conditions of product producers before buying Always
Boycott a company because of its social practices	Boycott a company because of its social practices Never	Boycott a company because of its social practices Rarely	Boycott a company because of its social practices Usually	Boycott a company because of its social practices Always
Minimize waste	Minimize waste Never	Minimize waste Rarely	Minimize waste Usually	Minimize waste Always
Conserve energy	Conserve energy Never	Conserve energy Rarely	Conserve energy Usually	Conserve energy Always
Voted for or supported a candidate because of his/her position on environmental issues	Voted for or supported a candidate because of his/her position on environmental issues Never	Voted for or supported a candidate because of his/her position on environmental issues Rarely	Voted for or supported a candidate because of his/her position on environmental issues Usually	Voted for or supported a candidate because of his/her position on environmental issues Always
Choose food conscientiously based on its impacts (e.g. Fair Trade Certified, locally grown, carbon footprint)	Choose food conscientiously based on its impacts (e.g. Fair Trade Certified, locally grown, carbon footprint) Never	Choose food conscientiously based on its impacts (e.g. Fair Trade Certified, locally grown, carbon footprint) Rarely	Choose food conscientiously based on its impacts (e.g. Fair Trade Certified, locally grown, carbon footprint) Usually	Choose food conscientiously based on its impacts (e.g. Fair Trade Certified, locally grown, carbon footprint) Always

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* 18. For the following measures of attitude, please select the best reflection of your attitude

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
People should recycle and reuse, even if it is less convenient	People should recycle and reuse, even if it is less convenient Strongly Disagree	People should recycle and reuse, even if it is less convenient Disagree	People should recycle and reuse, even if it is less convenient Agree	People should recycle and reuse, even if it is less convenient Strongly Agree
People should choose a method of transportation other than driving a car alone, even if it is less convenient	People should choose a method of transportation other than driving a car alone, even if it is less convenient Strongly Disagree	People should choose a method of transportation other than driving a car alone, even if it is less convenient Disagree	People should choose a method of transportation other than driving a car alone, even if it is less convenient Agree	People should choose a method of transportation other than driving a car alone, even if it is less convenient Strongly Agree
People should be willing to lower the quality of their lives in order that other people in the world can live better	People should be willing to lower the quality of their lives in order that other people in the world can live better Strongly Disagree	People should be willing to lower the quality of their lives in order that other people in the world can live better Disagree	People should be willing to lower the quality of their lives in order that other people in the world can live better Agree	People should be willing to lower the quality of their lives in order that other people in the world can live better Strongly Agree
People should be willing to spend more to get products and services that are better for the environment	People should be willing to spend more to get products and services that are better for the environment Strongly Disagree	People should be willing to spend more to get products and services that are better for the environment Disagree	People should be willing to spend more to get products and services that are better for the environment Agree	People should be willing to spend more to get products and services that are better for the environment Strongly Agree
People should be willing to spend more to get products and services, if that is what it takes to make life better for other people	People should be willing to spend more to get products and services, if that is what it takes to make life better for other people Strongly Disagree	People should be willing to spend more to get products and services, if that is what it takes to make life better for other people Disagree	People should be willing to spend more to get products and services, if that is what it takes to make life better for other people Agree	People should be willing to spend more to get products and services, if that is what it takes to make life better for other people Strongly Agree
In general, I think climate change issues are among the most important challenges in the world today	In general, I think climate change issues are among the most important challenges in the world today Strongly Disagree	In general, I think climate change issues are among the most important challenges in the world today Disagree	In general, I think climate change issues are among the most important challenges in the world today Agree	In general, I think climate change issues are among the most important challenges in the world today Strongly Agree
In general, I think that energy issues are among the most important challenges in the world today	In general, I think that energy issues are among the most important challenges in the world today Strongly Disagree	In general, I think that energy issues are among the most important challenges in the world today Disagree	In general, I think that energy issues are among the most important challenges in the world today Agree	In general, I think that energy issues are among the most important challenges in the world today Strongly Agree
In general, I think that environmental threats are among the most important challenges in the world today	In general, I think that environmental threats are among the most important challenges in the world today Strongly Disagree	In general, I think that environmental threats are among the most important challenges in the world today Disagree	In general, I think that environmental threats are among the most important challenges in the world today Agree	In general, I think that environmental threats are among the most important challenges in the world today Strongly Agree
In general, I think that social justice issues are among the most important challenges in the world today	In general, I think that social justice issues are among the most important challenges in the world today Strongly Disagree	In general, I think that social justice issues are among the most important challenges in the world today Disagree	In general, I think that social justice issues are among the most important challenges in the world today Agree	In general, I think that social justice issues are among the most important challenges in the world today Strongly Agree
In general, I think the effects of businesses on society are among the most important challenges in the world today	In general, I think the effects of businesses on society are among the most important challenges in the world today Strongly Disagree	In general, I think the effects of businesses on society are among the most important challenges in the world today Disagree	In general, I think the effects of businesses on society are among the most important challenges in the world today Agree	In general, I think the effects of businesses on society are among the most important challenges in the world today Strongly Agree
It is possible to protect the environment and expand the economy	It is possible to protect the environment and expand the economy Strongly Disagree	It is possible to protect the environment and expand the economy Disagree	It is possible to protect the environment and expand the economy Agree	It is possible to protect the environment and expand the economy Strongly Agree
Private landowners should be able to use the land however they want	Private landowners should be able to use the land however they want Strongly Disagree	Private landowners should be able to use the land however they want Disagree	Private landowners should be able to use the land however they want Agree	Private landowners should be able to use the land however they want Strongly Agree
I am willing to pay more for products from businesses that are socially responsible	I am willing to pay more for products from businesses that are socially responsible Strongly Disagree	I am willing to pay more for products from businesses that are socially responsible Disagree	I am willing to pay more for products from businesses that are socially responsible Agree	I am willing to pay more for products from businesses that are socially responsible Strongly Agree

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* 19. Of the sustainability programs at Louisville Metro, UofL, JCPS or JCTC, mark the programs you are aware of

Free TARC pass

Energy Star

Single Stream/Commercial Dry Waste Recycling

Energy Conservation (Performance Contracts)

Local food purchasing

Green Purchasing

When not in use, turn off the juice or TYLO (turn off the lights)

Car pooling

Earn a bike

Bike sharing

Low emission (natural gas powered) mowers

Composting

Idle Free policy

Green infrastructure

Renewable energy

Bicycle plan

Free Store

Climate Change Commitment

Buy Local shopping

LEED Buildings

Energy Star Buildings

Green roofs/cool roofs

Green wall

Cool pavements

Building dashboard

Other (please specify)

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* 20. Demographic information - Gender

Male

Female

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* 21. Demographic Information - Student or Employee

Student

Employee

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* 22. Demographic Information - School or workplace

Louisville Metro

Jefferson County Public Schools

Jefferson Community & Technical College

University of Louisville

Metro Resident

TARC

MSD

Louisville Water Company

Other (please specify)

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* 23. Demographic Information - Age

Under 21 years old

21 - 30

31 - 40

41 - 50

51 - 60

61 - 70

71 and over

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* 24. Demographic Information - Educational Level

No High School diploma/GED

High School Diploma/GED

Bachelor's

Master's

Professional Degree (Law, Medicine. Dentistry)

PhD

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* 25. Is there anything you would like to add?

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* 26. Demographic Information - Zip Code

ZIP/Postal Code

Thank you for taking your time to complete this survey. If you have questions about any of the questions, please contact the Partnership director, Brent Fryrear, at 502-852-8854 or at bfryrear@louisville.edu. He will also provide the "correct" answers to questions not open to interpretation.
The Partnership for a Green City will post survey results and track those results over time (year to year) to measure progress on sustainability literacy in the community and at our public organizations.

	True	False
The water quality of every stream in Louisville Metro meets all state water quality regulations	The water quality of every stream in Louisville Metro meets all state water quality regulations True	The water quality of every stream in Louisville Metro meets all state water quality regulations False
Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District will spend $870 million by 2020 to eliminate combined sewer overflows	Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District will spend $870 million by 2020 to eliminate combined sewer overflows True	Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District will spend $870 million by 2020 to eliminate combined sewer overflows False
Energy produced by water (hydroelectric) is considered a "renewable" energy source	Energy produced by water (hydroelectric) is considered a "renewable" energy source True	Energy produced by water (hydroelectric) is considered a "renewable" energy source False
Coal is considered a "renewable" energy source	Coal is considered a "renewable" energy source True	Coal is considered a "renewable" energy source False
The largest use of energy per year in a typical home is lighting	The largest use of energy per year in a typical home is lighting True	The largest use of energy per year in a typical home is lighting False
A home refrigerator typically requires more energy per year than a desktop computer	A home refrigerator typically requires more energy per year than a desktop computer True	A home refrigerator typically requires more energy per year than a desktop computer False
Most electricity in the U.S. is produced by burning coal	Most electricity in the U.S. is produced by burning coal True	Most electricity in the U.S. is produced by burning coal False
Wind energy is theoretically possible but not a practical source of renewable energy	Wind energy is theoretically possible but not a practical source of renewable energy True	Wind energy is theoretically possible but not a practical source of renewable energy False
Over the past two decades, energy demands have been largely met through conservation efforts	Over the past two decades, energy demands have been largely met through conservation efforts True	Over the past two decades, energy demands have been largely met through conservation efforts False
The best way to manage solid waste is to not generate any waste in the first place	The best way to manage solid waste is to not generate any waste in the first place True	The best way to manage solid waste is to not generate any waste in the first place False
Louisville is warmer by 1 - 3 degrees Fahrenheit that surrounding rural counties	Louisville is warmer by 1 - 3 degrees Fahrenheit that surrounding rural counties True	Louisville is warmer by 1 - 3 degrees Fahrenheit that surrounding rural counties False
The benefits of a warmer city outweigh the disadvantages	The benefits of a warmer city outweigh the disadvantages True	The benefits of a warmer city outweigh the disadvantages False
The greatest difference between temperatures in the city and surrounding area occurs at night	The greatest difference between temperatures in the city and surrounding area occurs at night True	The greatest difference between temperatures in the city and surrounding area occurs at night False
Over the past three decades, the difference between the richest and poorest Americans has stayed about the same	Over the past three decades, the difference between the richest and poorest Americans has stayed about the same True	Over the past three decades, the difference between the richest and poorest Americans has stayed about the same False
The best measure of the quality of life for an individual is material wealth	The best measure of the quality of life for an individual is material wealth True	The best measure of the quality of life for an individual is material wealth False
The best measure of the quality of life for a society is gross national product	The best measure of the quality of life for a society is gross national product True	The best measure of the quality of life for a society is gross national product False
Abuses of the environment disproportionately diminish the lives of the poor	Abuses of the environment disproportionately diminish the lives of the poor True	Abuses of the environment disproportionately diminish the lives of the poor False
My decisions and actions affect me and those close to me, not other people or places around the globe	My decisions and actions affect me and those close to me, not other people or places around the globe True	My decisions and actions affect me and those close to me, not other people or places around the globe False
The U.S. has the highest level of social mobility in the world, where the poor can pull themselves up through hard work to be upper class citizens	The U.S. has the highest level of social mobility in the world, where the poor can pull themselves up through hard work to be upper class citizens True	The U.S. has the highest level of social mobility in the world, where the poor can pull themselves up through hard work to be upper class citizens False

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* 1. Which of the following is the most commonly used definition of sustainable development?

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* 2. What do you consider the top environmental problems in Louisville Metro? (You may select more than one)

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* 3. The world population is currently 7.5 billion people. What was the world population in 1987?

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* 4. Air quality alerts are periodically issued in Louisville Metro when the following chemical is projected to exceed health standards?

Question Title

* 5. For each of the following statements, please indicate whether you believe it is true or false

Question Title

* 6. In Louisville Metro, what is your opinion of the overall

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* 7. What is the most common cause of pollution of streams and rivers?

Question Title

* 8. The predominant method of disposing of municipal solid waste in Louisville Metro is by?

Question Title

* 9. The most important strategy for our energy future is:

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* 10. Which of the following is not a fossil fuel?

Question Title

* 11. Contributing to the urban heat island effect is/are?

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* 12. Since the 1960s, water quality in the US has impro﻿ved primarily because:

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* 13. Heat Islands can be minimized by:

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* 14. What is the potential effect of global climate change?

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* 15. Which of the following is an example of sustainable forest management?

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* 16. The most significant driver in the loss of species and ecosystems around the world is:

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* 17. Please rate the frequency that you do the following behaviors

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* 18. For the following measures of attitude, please select the best reflection of your attitude

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* 19. Of the sustainability programs at Louisville Metro, UofL, JCPS or JCTC, mark the programs you are aware of

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* 20. Demographic information - Gender

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* 21. Demographic Information - Student or Employee

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* 22. Demographic Information - School or workplace

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* 23. Demographic Information - Age

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* 24. Demographic Information - Educational Level

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* 25. Is there anything you would like to add?

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* 26. Demographic Information - Zip Code

* 12. Since the 1960s, water quality in the US has improved primarily because: