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How do different generations of residents in Grand Rapids feel about the implementation of green infrastructure in their city?
How do different generations of residents in Grand Rapids feel about the implementation of green infrastructure in their city?
Green infrastructure is becoming more popular in the discussion of climate change. Many people see it as a great solution that has the potential to reduce carbon emissions, assist with water pollution, save money, and provide safe spaces for people to visit. However, others see green infrastructure as a costly and time consuming project that would not be worth it in the long run. Things like childhood environments, education, and career paths play a key role in how one views sustainable development. Because of this, the different experiences that each generation uniquely faced could have influenced how they look at green infrastructure. Discovering how each generation feels about the implementation of green infrastructure can help us to bridge the gap between ages and work better together to come up with solutions for the future.
What is green infrastructure?
Green infrastructure is a combination of built and natural environments that work together to lower our environmental impacts and assist ecosystem services.
Examples:
Green Roofs - a roof partially covered by vegetation which can help with things like improved air quality, stormwater control, and reducing the heat island effect
Solar Panels - panels that convert sunlight into energy which can be used for electricity and heating
Permeable Pavement - pavement that allows water to soak into as a way to control stormwater runoff
Native Landscaping - planting plants that are native to an area to assist native wildlife and boost ecosystem services
Which generations are we focusing on?
For this study, we are focused on the generations who make up a majority of the residents in Grand Rapids:
Baby Boomers (1946-1964)
Generation X (1965-1980)
Millennials (1981-1996)
Gen Z (1997-2021)
The issue of climate change was not as important 50 years ago as it was today. Because of this, younger generations deem climate change as more of a "high policy priority" than older generations do.
Having access to more technology and social media at a young age exposed Gen Z and Millennials to the green movement sooner and more often than Generation X and Baby Boomers.
Older people tend to be the ones in official and policy maker positions. The implementation of green infrastructure could seem like a daunting task for those in power.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, it was seen that older generations said that they took more green actions than their younger counterparts. This can be partially attributed to the unique perspective of mental health struggles the young adults faced.
Green Perceived Value Framework (PGV)
Green Perceived Value Framework (PGV)
PGV is the idea that an individual’s overall perspective on a good or service is based on their environmental desires, needs, and experiences. This framework is built around functional values, including price, quality, and service, as well as symbolic values, which refer to emotional, social, and reputational aspects. Functional and symbolic values involve different elements of an individual’s environment and lived experiences which contribute to a person’s overall perspective.
References
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