Identity and Sustainability: Localized Sense of Community Increases Environmental Engagement

Drawing on social, community, and place identity theories, we predicted that individuals whose identities are based, at least in part, on the place where they reside would be more likely to engage in environmentally responsible behaviors, or ERBs. Study 1 tested this hypothesis by assessing residents ’ localized com-munity identification and their willingness to take steps to protect and enhance local streams and waterways. Study 2 experimentally manipulated residents ’ sense of community. Both studies confirmed that (a) increases in one’s sense of com-munity were associated with increases in willingness to protect water resources and (b) pro-environment behavioral intentions were stronger when identity was ∗Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Donelson R. Forsyth, Jepso