Newsgroups: bit.listserv.biosph-l
Date:         Sun, 3 Jan 1993 20:53:52 EST
Reply-To:     Priya Sreedharan <JSI@UCC.UWINDSOR.CA>
From:         Priya Sreedharan <JSI@UCC.UWINDSOR.CA>
Subject:      Survey results

               To   determine   the  effectiveness   of   Activism  through
          networking,  I sent  out  a  survey   to  all the  recipients  of
          Biosphere.  Here is the survey, along with the results:

                             Activism through Networking

          Here are the results of the survey:

          total number of surveyees: 34

          1.  How do you have access to Biosphere?

               -76.5% have  access through  the university, of  that 76.5%,
               38%   were  students,  23.5%   university  staff,   and  15%
               professors
               -23.5% have access through another source

          2.  Sex?
               -62% males, 38% females

          3.  Age group?
               -38% thirties, 32% twenties, 18% forties, 9% over fifty, and
               3% under twenty

          4a)   Were  you   an  activist/environmentalist   before  joining
          Biosphere?

               -97% are active/environmental,  of that,  91% are active and
               6% are environmental but non-active
               -3% were neither environmental or active

           b) If no to 4a), have you  joined any environmental groups since
               joining  Biosphere, or  made  changes in  your lifestyle  to
          become more environmentally friendly?

               -of  the  3% that  answered no  to  4a), none  had  made any
               lifestyle changes

           c)  If yes  to 4a), do  you find  Biosphere useful  for bringing
          about     change?

               -44% said yes, 28% said no, 16% don't know and 12% said
               sometimes

          5.    Do you  find Biosphere  to be  a  better source  of current
          information   than  your  local  newspaper,  T.V.  or  magazines?
          (resounding yes, somewhat, or no)
               -41%  resounding yes, 32% somewhat,  24% no, and 3% not sure
               yet

          Conclusion- Biosphere is reaching people of all age groups and of
          both sexes.

               From  these results   one might  conclude that  Biosphere is
          useful in  bringing about progressive change,  many answering yes
          to 4a) and 5.
               However,   an  overwhelming  majority,   97%,  were  already
          "converted".  Of  those  that  weren't, none  had  made  positive
          changes.

          Your Comments
               -Biosphere provides an important variety of perspectives.
               -Biosphere  is not  localized  enough;it only  informs on  a
               national and worldwide level, mostly U.S. based.
               -There is too much philosophizing.
               -Biosphere has the potential to bring about change, although
               it hasn't yet.
               -The object  of Biosphere is  not for  basic information  or
               change.
               -Biosphere invites  free riders  and passive users,  who may
               not be all that interested in becoming active.

               I  was   speechless  as  I  read   responses  from  Austria,
          Czechoslovakia, Great Britain, Canada, and the U.S.  I was filled
          with hope, for there is so much  potential to bring about change,
          by  synchronizing  world  wide   events-    perhaps  a  worldwide
          pesticide  protest  day,  provided  that  most  of  us belong  to
          activist groups.

               I  apologize  for  the  vagueness  in  the  wording  of  the
          questions.   I was  attempting to  make the  survey as  short and
          direct to the point as possible.   I thank all of those  who took
          the time  to respond to the  survey.  Please mail  me any further
          questions or comments you might have.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU