A039: Can Outdoor Activities Improve Pro-Environmental Behaviors? An Empirical Study Based on the CGSS2021 Survey Data

Background: The increasingly severe impacts of climate change require us to find positive ways for people to change their lifestyles and engage in more pro-environmental behaviors. Sport and outdoor activities are increasingly becoming a platform for sustainable development awareness and action. Particularly, the positive environmental effects of outdoor activities have been gaining increased attention. Previous research primarily focused on the theoretical level, lacking empirical studies on whether people who participated in outdoor activities are more pro-environment. Thus, this study aimed to use data to explore the relationship between outdoor activities and pro-environmental behaviors in China. Methodology： Data were based on the China General Social Survey (CGSS) 2021, comprising 2373 valid samples. Outdoor activity (OA) as independent variable, with 1648 participants (69.4%). The mediating variables were environmental knowledge (EK), environmental concerns (EC), and pro-environmental intension (PI). The dependent variable was pro-environmental behaviors (PB). Structural equation modeling was employed to test hypotheses using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 26.0. Results: Firstly, OA impact EK (β = 0.22, p < 0.001), EC (β = 0.43, p < 0.001) and PI (β = 0.10, p = 0.043). Secondly, PB is influenced by EK (β = 0.33, p < 0.001) EC (β = 0.03, p = 0.076) and PI (β = 0.12, p < 0.001). Thirdly, PI is also influenced by EK (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) and EC (β = 0.17, p < 0.001). Moreover, EK positively impacted EC (β = 0.613, p < 0.001). Finally, EK, EC and PI had a significant mediating effect between OA and PB. The results showed that total effect (β = 0.18, p < 0.001), direct effect (β = 0.07, p < 0.009), and total indirect effect (β = 0.11, p < 0.001) were significant, the mediating effect accounted for 62.5% of the total effect. Discussion: The findings highlight the importance of OA as a potential driver for promoting PI and PB, which helps to protect the environment. We suggest attracting more people to participate in outdoor activities and increasing environmental education to promote PI and PB. In addition, people do need some environmental knowledge to act in a pro-environmental way, but some research has also pointed that too detailed and technical knowledge may have the opposite effect. Moreover, some studies have found that pro-environmental values have no influence over off-trail walking behavior and PI were not associated with PB in snow-sport based on value–action gap. Therefore, more studies on different types of outdoor activities should be conducted in the future.