LA MESA ECOPARK, Q.C.
Some of the basic environmentally responsible behaviors reflected in La Mesa Ecopark involve the simple acts of throwing trash in their proper places (and throwing them in their proper biodegradable and non-biodegradable bins) and following rules when it comes to entering restricted properties, only feeding the fish food from the park attendant, accompanying children by responsible adults, not climbing trees that seem climbable, not using bikes for areas wherein bikes aren’t allowed beyond the point, being wary of stray dogs and cats (and not interacting and feeding them), and properly falling in line for the park shuttles in the loading and unloading bays. We know that, as cliché as it is, throwing trash in their proper places is environmentally responsible, but how does following park rules become related to the environment?
These rules were implemented for a concrete purpose, and that is for maintaining and preserving the environment. They are also for our own good. When playful children are left unaccompanied by adults, aside from becoming lost, they also might do things that might destroy the environments in the park. They could go to restricted areas or throw their trash improperly. When we enter restricted zones such as the restricted zone of MWSS (in La Mesa Ecopark), we might be careless enough to destroy properties, something that have to do with, say, their water system, and this might consequently affect the quality of water supplied to us. When we feed the fishes from ponds food that didn’t come from the park attendant, as well as when we throw things in the pond (excluding fish food provided by the park) be it rocks, gravel, or sand, we pollute their habitats and there could actually be a risk for these fishes not to survive in these polluted environments. Being wary of stray dogs and cats helps us not to get rabies and transmit it to other people (when we do get rabies, *knock on wood*).
In short, environmentally responsible behaviors are largely connected to the value of self-discipline. Practicing the value of self-discipline seems to be enough to maintain and preserve the environment. What’s more is that, when we practice self-discipline, we tend to influence other people into practicing self-discipline as well.
In short, environmentally responsible behaviors are largely connected to the value of self-discipline. Practicing the value of self-discipline seems to be enough to maintain and preserve the environment. What’s more is that, when we practice self-discipline, we tend to influence other people into practicing self-discipline as well.
This is related to social psychology’s concept of social influence. Social influence looks at how individual thoughts, actions and feelings are influenced by social groups. When we see that others are behaving responsibly when it comes to the environment, we also tend to be environmentally responsible. We do as what others do. What I’ve noticed in La Mesa Ecopark is that, surprisingly, no matter where you look, including the walkways, you would not see any litters scattered. How was I able to say that this is attributable to social influence and not because of the park’s sweepers? It is simply because I don’t see any sweepers nor cleaners that sweep away trash. Could be because there is nothing to sweep, or could be because there is nothing to sweep since park visitors are disciplined enough to keep their trash in the proper places and to conform with the rest of those who follow the park’s rule of keeping the park clean.
Speaking of conformity, I think that environmentally responsible behaviors reflected at the La Mesa Ecopark are related to the concepts of conformity as well as obedience. Conformity is the change in behaviour or belief to accord with others. Maybe a lot of people were keeping the park clean due to the fact that it is what the majority does and going against what the majority does would make you seem deviating from the majority. Meanwhile, obedience is acting in accord with a direct order. We feel compelled to follow the rules, even if there are no concrete punishment or penalties from violating these rules, since rules are prescribed guides for conduct or action. Simply put, rules are rules.
In contrast, when we observe that a lot of people violate the rules (such as not littering), it becomes more likely for us to also violate the rules. We tend to think that others break the laws, so we might as well break it. For me, seeing people violating the rules can be demotivating to do the right thing. For example, in real life, we see that people throw their trash to areas even when there are signages of “Don’t throw trash here” or “Throwing trash here is strictly forbidden (and doing so equates to a penalty of X pesos)” already. It is also more likely for people to throw their trash on areas where there are these signages. It’s so ironic, right? Maybe rule-breaking affects our motivation to follow the rules, as well as how many people actually follow the rules compared to those who break them. That means, if there are more people who break the rules, we tend to act in accordance with them, because it’s what the majority does. Meanwhile, as with the case in La Mesa Ecopark, the majority chooses to adhere to the park rules especially when it comes to cleanliness, hence we also feel compel to keep the park clean and follow the rest of park rules like not going to restricted areas.
Maybe environmentally responsible behaviour reflected in La Mesa Ecopark are also due to our motives to do the right thing. Keeping the park clean and following the park rules are the logical and right thing to do. Hence, why do something wrong if you can do the right thing, right?
Maybe environmentally responsible behaviour reflected in La Mesa Ecopark are also due to our motives to do the right thing. Keeping the park clean and following the park rules are the logical and right thing to do. Hence, why do something wrong if you can do the right thing, right?
All cultures are said to have accepted ideas about
appropriate behaviour. Sadly, in our case, even if we know what the appropriate
behaviour is when it comes to keeping the environment clean, we tend to do the
opposite behaviour. We tend to value environmentally responsible behaviors less,
sometimes we even tend to ignore them. What has become a norm for us, to keep
the environment clean or to violate environmental rules? I would rather say
that we don’t have a norm for keeping the environment clean. Yes, we keep
saying that the norm is to keep the environment clean, but do we all follow it?
Overall, our personal values and attitudes still play a role in being
environmentally responsible. Some might innately be disciplined in following rules
to preserve the environment, some might need the influence of others before
they follow the rules, while some might simply naturally want to do the right
thing regardless of whether there are rules or not – and that is to do their
part for the environment by behaving environmentally responsible.