What makes you a hero for nature

Biodiversity loss is a widely debated world problem, with huge economic, social, andenvironmentally negative consequences. Despite the relevance of this issue, thepsychological determinants of committed action towards nature and biodiversity haverarely been investigated. This study aims at identifying a comprehensive social-psychological profile of activists committed to biodiversity protection and atunderstanding what determinants best predict their activism. A questionnaireinvestigating relevant social-psychological constructs identified in the literature onenvironmental activism was administered to 183 outstanding leaders (vs. non-leaders)in biodiversity protection across seven EU countries. Leaders (vs. non-leaders) inbiodiversity protection showed, among other constructs, higher scores onenvironmental values, attitudes, identity, perceived control, a feeling of union andspirituality with nature, and willingness to sacrifice for their cause. Results arediscussed within the theoretical framework of a motivation model of committed actionfor nature and biodiversity protection. Applications of the results are also proposed