The study focuses on a rural community in West Java Province, where residents participate in daily environmental practices such as waste management, community clean-ups, and adherence to local environmental norms. The findings matter because they highlight a social pathway to sustainability—one that strengthens environmental governance from the ground up, rather than relying solely on formal policies.
Why Community-Based Environmental Responsibility Matters
Environmental degradation continues to escalate worldwide, driven by climate change, ecosystem loss, and unsustainable human activity. While governments often respond through regulations and infrastructure, many local environmental programs fail to endure. Once supervision weakens, participation often declines.
This research addresses a critical gap: why some communities sustain environmental responsibility while others do not. The answer, according to Pudjiastuti, lies in ecological citizenship—a concept that frames environmental care as a civic obligation embedded in everyday life.
Instead of seeing environmental action as a temporary program or external command, residents with strong ecological citizenship perceive it as part of being a responsible citizen. This perspective transforms environmental behavior from compliance into commitment.
How the Research Was Conducted
The study applies a mixed-methods approach, combining numerical data with social insights to capture both patterns and meaning.
- Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires distributed to 80 adult residents involved in local environmental activities.
- Qualitative data came from in-depth interviews with eight key community figures, including village officials, community leaders, environmental activists, and residents with varying levels of participation.
This combination allowed the researcher to measure behavioral trends while also understanding how values, norms, and leadership shape everyday environmental practices.
Key Findings at a Glance
The results clearly show that ecological citizenship has a strong and statistically significant influence on environmental responsibility at the community level.
Key findings include:
- Residents with higher levels of ecological citizenship consistently demonstrate stronger environmental responsibility.
- Ecological citizenship is a powerful predictor of real-world environmental behavior, not just attitudes.
- Environmental responsibility is expressed through routine actions, not symbolic gestures.
Specific behaviors strongly associated with ecological citizenship include:
- Household waste separation and recycling
- Reduced use of plastic products
- Active participation in waste banks
- Regular involvement in community clean-up activities
- Compliance with locally agreed environmental rules
These findings confirm that sustainable environmental behavior emerges when environmental values are internalized as part of civic identity.
Waste Management as Everyday Civic Practice
Household waste management stands out as the clearest indicator of environmental responsibility. In the studied community, waste separation and plastic reduction are no longer perceived as special initiatives. They have become daily habits.
Interviews reveal that this consistency is driven by social norms rather than enforcement. Residents remind one another informally, guided by shared expectations and mutual accountability.
As one community member explained, environmental responsibility now operates through self-regulation rather than external pressure. Social awareness replaces fear of sanctions, creating a stable foundation for sustainable behavior.
Collective Participation Strengthens Environmental Commitment
Beyond individual habits, the research highlights the importance of collective participation. Community clean-ups, routine environmental programs, and neighborhood deliberations function as social learning spaces.
These activities reinforce a sense of shared ownership over the local environment. Participation is no longer about attendance lists or obligations; it becomes a source of pride and belonging.
Residents view environmental action as a collective expression of citizenship. This shared experience strengthens long-term commitment and prevents environmental initiatives from fading over time.
The Role of Local Leadership and Social Norms
Local leadership plays a crucial role in reinforcing ecological citizenship. The study finds that environmental rules are most effective when developed through participatory processes and modeled by community leaders.
Rather than relying on punishment, leaders emphasize example and persuasion. When residents see local figures practicing environmental responsibility, compliance increases naturally.
This leadership approach builds legitimacy and trust, turning environmental norms into shared values rather than imposed rules.
Implications for Policy and Sustainable Development
The findings carry important implications for policymakers, educators, and community development practitioners:
- Environmental programs should focus on building civic values, not only technical solutions.
- Sustainability initiatives are more effective when residents are treated as active citizens, not passive beneficiaries.
- Local governments can strengthen environmental governance by investing in community-based citizenship education.
- Environmental education programs should emphasize responsibility, identity, and collective action.
For developing countries like Indonesia, this approach offers a practical strategy to achieve sustainability without excessive financial or technological dependence.
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