New Publication on Water Conservation and Alternative Water Sources
(18-10-2024)
We are thrilled to announce the latest publication by CJS-member Estefanya C. Vazquez-Casaubon in Sustainable Production and Consumption. This research addresses the pressing challenge of freshwater scarcity and explores how individuals in Belgium perceive and are willing to adopt alternative water sources, such as rainwater and recycled greywater, using Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) as the framework.
Key findings from the study include:
- Self-efficacy plays a key role in encouraging people to conserve tap water and embrace alternative water sources.
- Current water scarcity perceptions have a surprising negative impact on the willingness to use rainwater or recycled greywater, indicating a potential boomerang effect.
- In contrast, future water scarcity perceptions are a strong motivator for the adoption of alternative water sources.
- Personal norms significantly influence behaviors, with individuals more likely to reduce tap water use and consider alternatives when they feel personally responsible for conserving water.
This research highlights the importance of context-specific policies that enhance self-efficacy and raise personal norms to promote sustainable water usage. The findings suggest that policymakers should carefully design awareness strategies, as emphasizing immediate threats like current water scarcity might unintentionally hinder the adoption of alternative sources.