How the Internet + Green Public Welfare Model Cultivates a Low-Carbon and Green Lifestyle: Case of Ant Forest
Publication: Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Volume 149, Issue 3
Abstract
The “Internet +” era creates many positive opportunities for people to lead a low-carbon lifestyle. However, in the existing literature, there are few studies on how users’ green awareness and behavior are affected. So this study aims to empirically test the effect of factors on green self-awareness and individual behavior change proposing a research model using the Ant Forest app. Through survey investigation, 220 valid questionnaires were collected. This study analyzed the data by using the partial least squares path analysis method (PLS method). The results indicate that environmental concern, sense of achievement, and social and entertainment have a positive influence on users’ awareness change. Meanwhile, social and entertainment as well as self-awareness change positively affect individual behavior change. The findings suggest that a well-designed “Internet + Green public welfare” model can enhance innovation combined with environmental protection and gamification and develop a public green behavior performance. In addition, implications, the limitation, and future trends are discussed.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the Chengdu Philosophy and Social Science Planning Project (YY2920220108), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (Grant No. 52008345), and the Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province (Grant No. 2022NSFSC1108). Thanks to all those who participated in filling out the questionnaires. In addition, the author sincerely thanks all anonymous reviewers and editors for their comments and help.
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Published In
Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Volume 149 • Issue 3 • September 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 27, 2022
Accepted: Feb 27, 2023
Published online: Apr 21, 2023
Published in print: Sep 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Sep 21, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Analysis (by type)
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- Case studies
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- Computing in civil engineering
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