Water is a finite resource, necessary for sustaining all facets of life; however, it often taken granted. Recognizing level risk associated with diminishing water supply, communicating the public about their contributions to issues so they will reduce unnecessary consumption utmost importance. This study used an experimental design test recall key facts after engaging animated infographic, static or receiving no visual. The utilized Risk Information Seeking and Processing Model Critical...

Freshwater resources are being rapidly depleted by unsustainable human activities in the United States (U.S.), causing concern for water security. If individuals were targeted with appropriate information, public engagement conservation may increase. Political affiliation and ideology play a role grouping based on their conservation, as environmental issues politically contentious U.S. The purpose of study was to determine if political affiliation, ideology, theory planned behavior variables...

Global food security requires sustainable and resource-efficient agricultural production. Precision agriculture may provide the tools needed to intensify production while prioritizing sustainability; however, there are barriers such as initial investments, knowledge gaps, broadband access that hinder adoption. Many rural areas in United States lack appropriate infrastructure for precision agriculture, indicating government policies expand access. The purpose of this qualitative research...

Water scarcity in the United States needs to be addressed with demand- and supply-side initiatives. Yet, water is often provided for a low cost households residential areas that have potential reduce consumption. The theory of planned behavior (TpB) social science used understand why volitional conservation behaviors, including conservation, are performed by consumers. Additional predictors included TpB literature, motivations behavioral actions may help further explain behavior. This study...

The global importance of critical thinking in enhancing academic success, employability, civic engagement, and mental health is universally acknowledged. Yet, its cultivation educational systems, particularly Kenya, requires further attention. This gap pronounced Kenya's higher education, where more research needed to develop validate effective assessment tools given the paradigm shift curricular. study contributes this need by evaluating applicability Critical Thinking Inventory (CTI) model...

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a highly infectious virus transmitted through droplets from sneezes and coughs, was declared global pandemic in 2020. Measures implemented by organizations as result of COVID-19 were controversial among United States (U.S.) citizens. Perceptions governmental scientific information further divided U.S. citizens distrust science fostered conspiratorial thinking toward the origin virus. The purpose this study to determine if critical style (CTS), use...

The ability to solve complex challenges facing the food system is an increasingly important skill for undergraduate students entering into global workforce. However, curriculum tools enhance systems thinking in agricultural and natural resource classroom are limited, specifically related education.The current study explored use of hypothetical case scenarios a teaching seafood industry, order determine these as mechanism increasing students' systems-thinking capacity. mixed-method used...

There are economic and knowledge-based challenges that must be addressed for indoor farms to viable in the United States despite their potential benefits. A mixed-methods approach was used identify needs of specialty crop growers stakeholders interested or currently using propagation environments grow seedlings, cuttings, tissue-cultured plants. An online survey evaluated growers’ current use plant related propagation. focus group then conducted further understand by stakeholders. Industry...

Genetic modification (GM) science is a complex and controversial topic that can instill uncertainty fear into the minds of individuals. While research surrounding GM in food has indicated no negative impact on health humans, consumer perception sense skepticism risk issue. The Risk Information Seeking Processing (RISP) model attempts to understand how individuals search for process information about subject with some associated level risk. Infographics are form data visualization used...

The availability of fresh water affects public health and living standards around the globe, yet resources are being rapidly depleted by unsustainable human activities. Strained freshwater will perpetuate unless is made aware severity scarcity issues. Audience segmentation, used frequently environmental communicators to target unreached groups, a social marketing strategy that segments audiences with shared characteristics inform development effective communication messages. purpose this...

Scientific innovation provides benefits to society but also fosters suspicion and distrust. The unknown of scientific innovations in agriculture has yielded a strained relationship between consumers farmers, creating little no public support for solutions agricultural issues. trust is further when discussing genetic modification (GM) science food. Informational graphics are an increasingly popular communication technique that may effectively communicate GM consumers. This study examined,...

There has been a dramatic shift in how people engage with agriculture over the past 50 years United States, leading to little interaction between consumers and farm. Despite extension initiatives communicate urban about agriculture, disconnect agricultural producers continues grow. Research shown rely primarily on media for information resulting misconceptions its impact environment. Consumers’ negative views agriculture’s environment may lead support implementation of environmental policies...

The COVID-19 pandemic led to global public health campaigns enacting strict orders slow the spread of disease. initiatives were communicated broadly through diverse news sources and social media channels, spreading both factual information misinformation about environmental benefits related shelter-in-place orders. This quantitative study United States residents ( N = 1,048), guided by selective exposure theory, examined if demographics, and/or source use, knowledge changes that took place...

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing global agricultural food system at current moment. While scientists agree that anthropogenic climate a critical issue, many United States residents remain skeptical, presenting significant communication challenge. Understanding factors influencing public perceptions are essential to informing and environmental efforts if they be effective mitigating its effects. Previous studies have identified political affiliation ideology as key...

(1) Background: Extension educators are uniquely positioned to assist with sustainable community-based food environment change, especially related obesity prevention efforts, because they located in almost every county the U.S. strive build resilient communities by improving access and bridging various actors involved systems. Needs assessments of desired educational program resources priority populations, such as those rural areas, needed ensure effective nutrition literacy programs...

Seafood is a vital source of nutrition yet many consumers in the United States have been exposed to competing discourse about industry's environmental impacts, influencing consumption habits. Generation Z, generational cohort whose members value sustainability their purchasing decisions, may unique opinions regarding sustainable seafood given values. This qualitative study explored Z undergraduate students' experiences with and how they perceive role feeding people while sustaining future...

In many parts of the world, water scarcity is increasing due to climate change and deterioration quantity quality sources. southeastern U.S., conservation particular concern because decades-long war between states Florida, Georgia, Alabama over two shared river basins. Individuals can only do so much conserve in their home, but different forms donations contribute larger efforts resulting greater environmental impact. Using a conceptual framework connecting self-identity contribution...

Communication capacity development is critical for Extension professionals, who work to bring agricultural and health research the public. With social media being an almost ubiquitous communication channel, it has immense potential as a resource diverse rural audiences. The current study, guided by audience segmentation framework, explored patterns on of Georgia residents across demographic characteristics through non-probability opt-in sampling online survey. Cluster analyses users revealed...

Abstract In the land of blind, one‐eyed man may be king. But positions power produce their own forms blindness. This paper reviews multiple theoretical approaches to concept powerblindness and categorizes these literatures into five through which operates: powerblind identity (failure notice that one belongs a privileged group), egalitarianism (belief all groups are equal in power), hierarchy (emphasis on one's subordinate position), exception (the claim is less than others justification...

Urgent action is needed to educate the public and encourage water conservation behaviors amidst global threat of scarcity impacting billions by 2050. Crafting tailored educational programs about crucial for incentivizing behavior change achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Intrinsic motivation, which shaped personal interests values, plays a fundamental role in understanding individual various contexts, therefore may aid our behaviors. Despite widespread application intrinsic motivation...

University agricultural educators are challenged to employ innovative approaches prepare undergraduates in agriculture and natural resources address complex global problems while understanding interconnected systems. Undergraduates, current members of Generation Z (Gen Z), prefer environmental sustainability innovation, but solutions for addressing these preferences educational settings remain elusive. Exploring Gen Z’s consumption values how those relate their systems thinking tendencies...

Abstract Unsustainable human activities are rapidly depleting freshwater resources in many parts of the United States. Public policy surrounding water conservation is arguably one most essential strategies for targeting preservation water. Increased public engagement environmental may bolster sustainable consumption if nuances behavior targeted through communication messages. A quantitative research design using an online survey general States was used to explore political affiliation and...

Educators within agricultural and natural resource disciplines are tasked with educating students to critically engage problem-solve complex issues. As society’s relationship science technology changes, coupled an information-dense environment, strategies for sustainably addressing issues needed. One potential approach strategically problems is systems thinking, which emphasizes the interdependence of components from ecological, social, economic perspectives, among others. A mixed-methods...

International service learning (ISL) is a pedagogical approach used to prepare students be global citizens and has emerged as popular short-term program model for international experiences. Few studies of ISL have integrated semiotic photo analysis into their evaluations. Combining students’ photographs with text encourages reflection on knowledge experiences well how they are related. The current study understand the lived an Guatemala. participatory nature research process was critical...

International service learning (ISL) is a pedagogical approach used to prepare students be global citizens and has emerged as popular short-term program model for international experiences. Few studies of ISL have integrated semiotic photo analysis into their evaluations. Combining students’ photographs with text encourages reflection on knowledge experiences well how they are related. The current study understand the lived an Guatemala. participatory nature research process was critical...