Document Type
Article
Author ORCID Identifier
Mahmudur R. Aveek https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9219-6730
David E. Rosenberg https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2163-2907
Journal/Book Title/Conference
ESS Open Archive
Publication Date
10-13-2022
Journal Article Version
Version of Record
First Page
1
Last Page
34
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License
Abstract
Urban water managers face the challenge of sustaining conservation behavior. A review of 77 papers across water, energy, and environmental conservation was conducted to understand how programs encourage reduced water use. Motivators were external or internal. Theories of behavior change targeted different social-psychological factors. No single model addressed all aspects. Different message contents (water use, self-comparison, social comparison, leak information) and tactics (communication medium, frequency, program duration) reduced use by 0.5% to 25%. Reductions typically lasted less than a year. Quantifying the effects of specific motivators, message contents, and tactics was difficult due to varied contexts. Effective conservation messages included public pleas, comparisons, practical tips, and resource guidance. Managers can enhance message effectiveness by understanding user motivations, customizing content, using diverse communication channels, and fostering a conservation culture. Multi-year studies are needed to identify long-term effects and convert external to internal motivation.
Recommended Citation
Mahmudur Rahman Aveek, David Ezechiel Rosenberg. Sustaining Water Conservation: A Synthesis of Research on Motivators, Message Tailoring, and Tactics. ESS Open Archive . October 13, 2022.