Analysis of the Zanjan citizens' awareness of environmental challenges and strategies for institutionalization of environmental correct behaviors

The purpose of this study was analyzing citizen's awareness of environmental challenges and strategies for institutionalization of environmental correct behaviors in Zanjan city.The population of this descriptive – correlation studyconsists of experts who work in the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources in Zanjan (N= 130). The volume of sample size was estimated using Cochran's formula (n=60). Samples were selected using stratified random sampling method. The questionnaire used for collecting data. The validity of questionnaire was confirmed by the comments of academic members. The reliability was determined by pilot test and calculating Cronbach alpha coefficient (0.78-0.81). Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 20 software. The descriptive results of the study showed that the most citizens' awareness of environmental challenges are: Air pollution, pollution from the use of old cars and containers cannot be recycled. Lowest citizens' awareness of environmental challenges are: The importance of protecting the ozone layer, the reduction of groundwater and soil erosion and its influence. Also the overall awareness of citizens in the near-low and 51.7 percent of respondents stated that citizens' awareness of the environmental challenges is too weak. Using exploratory factor analysis strategies for institutionalization of environmental true behaviors were summarized into seven factors including: education in all of parts of society, organizational development and improvement of policy, empowering employees the relevant organizations, motivation, new strategies, culture and contributions related institutions. These factors explained 74.14% of strategies for institutionalization of environmental correct behavior.