Attitudes and perceptions of the Maltese population (aged 30 - 45 years old) on local biodiversity and its effect on human health and well-being

Abstract

In recent years, several trends have emerged that profoundly and negatively impact human lives in Malta. These trends include an increase in construction activity and an increased incidence of health conditions or illnesses, such as asthma. These trends may be justified through a multitude of reasons, but several contributing factors have been identified and mainly involve the weakening of the human-nature connection. These factors illustrate how humans are becoming increasingly isolated from nature and biodiversity. This dissertation presents an analysis of the attitude and perception of the local adult population (aged between 30 and 45 years old) towards biodiversity, and the extent to which it regards biodiversity as integral to its health and personal wellbeing. Additionally, the study aimed to identify gaps in knowledge and behaviour, and to point out opportunities for these to be addressed through transformative educational campaigns. The study shows that the target population is aware of the effect of biodiversity on human wellbeing, and a positive environmental attitude is prevalent. However, behaviour patterns do not support the positive attitude observed, and knowledge regarding local biodiversity and the effect of biodiversity on human health is lacking. Through the research findings, several recommendations are suggested to increase awareness within the local adult population regarding the links between human health and biodiversity and promote environmentally responsible behaviour patterns.