Changing Culture through Pro-Environmental Messaging Delivered on Digital Signs: A Longitudinal Field Study

John E. Petersen () and Cynthia McPherson Frantz
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John E. Petersen: Environmental Studies Program and Department of Biology, Oberlin College, 132 Elm Street, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA
Cynthia McPherson Frantz: Department of Psychology and Environmental Studies Program, Oberlin College, 120 W Lorain Street, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-21

Abstract: Delivering effective messages is critical to creating a more sustainable and resilient culture. The explosion of social media has enhanced information access but has often reinforced and polarized pre-existing viewpoints and norms. In contrast, digital signs are an “in your face in your space” technology that have the potential to deliver common content to a diverse local audience. Environmental Dashboard (ED) is a communications platform and set of content applications that combines information on current environmental conditions, real-time resource consumption, positive actions being taken by community members, and a community calendar. We conducted a longitudinal study to assess whether ED content delivered via digital signs in public locations would result in desirable psychological changes within a community. Participants completed surveys in six designated signage locations prior to installation (N = 174) and following two years of continuous exposure (N = 133). We observed increases in pro-environmental social norms among people of color (a demographic emphasized); enhanced awareness of and sense of connection with the local community and ecology; increased self-reported electricity conservation; and increased perception of youth engagement (another demographic emphasized). Changes were mediated by exposure to digital signage. These findings support the hypothesis that content delivered through digital signs can strengthen pro-environmental and pro-social culture within communities.

Keywords: digital signage; environmental communication; environmental justice; pro-environmental norms; pro-environmental behavior; race; systems thinking; youth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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