Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Knowledge Gaps On Water Issues And Consumption Habits In At-Risk Chinese Cities, Hong Xiao

Hong Xiao

This research explores awareness of water issues and beverage consumption habits of students at four universities in northern China, the region most at risk for water shortages. While water is treated as a common property resource in China, there are significant demographic differences in attitudes towards state responsibility for water quality and supply, with older respondents, urban residents, and women showing more faith in the government. Surveys of 671 university students reveal a disjuncture between their awareness of shortages and pollution issues at the national level, and awareness of local conditions. A second disjuncture is apparent in respondents’ views of …