Re. Oconnor et al., THE 2 FACES OF COASTAL ENVIRONMENTALISM - ENVIRONMENTAL-PROTECTION AND DEVELOPMENT ON CAPE-MAY, Coastal management, 22(2), 1994, pp. 183-194
This research examines environmental attitudes in a coastal community
that has pressures for growth in a fragile ecology. Our survey finds t
hat public opinion on environmental issues on Cape May has two dimensi
ons: one concerned with development and growth, and the other with env
ironmental health and safety. Attitudes toward the desirability of dev
elopment originate from concerns with the loss of open space, populati
on growth, and crowding. Opinions on the proper strictness of environm
ental regulations originate from concerns for maintaining the local en
vironment, including clean water and a healthy ocean and bay, and from
participation in outdoors activities such as birdwatching. The two di
mensions of environmentalism have implications for growth management i
n coastal areas.