Research on Farmers' Modernity, Environmental Concern and Environmental Protection Behaviors

This study takes the individual modernity of farmers as the driving force, and constructs a model of farmers' environmental protection behaviors based on the theory of environmental concern. Throuth statistical analysis of 719 valid survey responses, the research shows that: ① the farmers' attitudes concerning modernization encompasse seven key dimensions: educational and career aspirations, civic participation, equality and respect, proactive progress, attention to traditional media, attention to new media, and instrumental rationality. ② All dimensions of farmers' modernization have a significant impact on environmental concern. With the exception of proactive progress and attention to traditional media, all other dimensions significantly predict both private and public environmental protection behaviors. Environmental concern strongly predicts both types of environmental protection behaviors. ③ Environmental concern serves as a mediating factor. It partially mediates the relationship among five dimensions of the farmers' attitudes concerning modernization (educational and career aspirations, civic participation, equality and respect, attention to new media, and instrumental rationality) and environmental protection behaviors. For the remaining two dimensions (proactive progress and attention to traditional media), environmental concern acts as a complete mediator.