Green Worcester Survey--English

1. During 2019-2020, the City of Worcester will be preparing a Strategic Plan on initiatives and actions to make Worcester an even more sustainable and “green” city than it is today. The planning process will include engagement with Worcester residents and community groups. The first step in this process is this brief survey to find out what residents think about sustainability in general and in Worcester.

Are you a resident of Worcester?

2. What is your home ZIP Code? *This question is required.

3. With which gender do you identify?

4. What is your age?

5. Would you describe yourself as Hispanic/Latino or not?

6. Which of the following best describes your race?

7. When you think of the terms "sustainable city" or "green city" as it relates to Worcester in particular, what comes to mind?

8. When it comes to improving conditions in Worcester, how much of a priority do you think each of the following issues should be for Worcester city government?

Space Cell	Major Priority	Minor Priority	Not a Priority	Don't Know
Reducing production of gases that contribute to climate warming	Reducing production of gases that contribute to climate warming: Major Priority	Reducing production of gases that contribute to climate warming: Minor Priority	Reducing production of gases that contribute to climate warming: Not a Priority	Reducing production of gases that contribute to climate warming: Don't Know
Reducing pollution of the air and water	Reducing pollution of the air and water: Major Priority	Reducing pollution of the air and water: Minor Priority	Reducing pollution of the air and water: Not a Priority	Reducing pollution of the air and water: Don't Know
Reducing the amount of waste produced in Worcester, including increasing recycling rates	Reducing the amount of waste produced in Worcester, including increasing recycling rates: Major Priority	Reducing the amount of waste produced in Worcester, including increasing recycling rates: Minor Priority	Reducing the amount of waste produced in Worcester, including increasing recycling rates: Not a Priority	Reducing the amount of waste produced in Worcester, including increasing recycling rates: Don't Know
Cleaning up toxic chemicals at industrial sites	Cleaning up toxic chemicals at industrial sites: Major Priority	Cleaning up toxic chemicals at industrial sites: Minor Priority	Cleaning up toxic chemicals at industrial sites: Not a Priority	Cleaning up toxic chemicals at industrial sites: Don't Know
Planting and maintaining trees	Planting and maintaining trees: Major Priority	Planting and maintaining trees: Minor Priority	Planting and maintaining trees: Not a Priority	Planting and maintaining trees: Don't Know
Creating safer and more attractive conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians	Creating safer and more attractive conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians: Major Priority	Creating safer and more attractive conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians: Minor Priority	Creating safer and more attractive conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians: Not a Priority	Creating safer and more attractive conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians: Don't Know
Tightening building codes to encourage energy efficiency	Tightening building codes to encourage energy efficiency: Major Priority	Tightening building codes to encourage energy efficiency: Minor Priority	Tightening building codes to encourage energy efficiency: Not a Priority	Tightening building codes to encourage energy efficiency: Don't Know
Creating a home energy rating system similar to MPG for cars	Creating a home energy rating system similar to MPG for cars: Major Priority	Creating a home energy rating system similar to MPG for cars: Minor Priority	Creating a home energy rating system similar to MPG for cars: Not a Priority	Creating a home energy rating system similar to MPG for cars: Don't Know
Reducing natural gas leaks	Reducing natural gas leaks: Major Priority	Reducing natural gas leaks: Minor Priority	Reducing natural gas leaks: Not a Priority	Reducing natural gas leaks: Don't Know

9. When it comes to making Worcester a more sustainable place in the future, how much of a priority do you think each of the following issues should be for Worcester city government?

Space Cell	Major Priority	Minor Priority	Not a Priority	Don't Know
Ensuring that new developments are sustainable	Ensuring that new developments are sustainable: Major Priority	Ensuring that new developments are sustainable: Minor Priority	Ensuring that new developments are sustainable: Not a Priority	Ensuring that new developments are sustainable: Don't Know
Attracting and creating new jobs in sustainability-related industries	Attracting and creating new jobs in sustainability-related industries: Major Priority	Attracting and creating new jobs in sustainability-related industries: Minor Priority	Attracting and creating new jobs in sustainability-related industries: Not a Priority	Attracting and creating new jobs in sustainability-related industries: Don't Know
Supporting non-polluting transportation like electric cars and bicycles	Supporting non-polluting transportation like electric cars and bicycles: Major Priority	Supporting non-polluting transportation like electric cars and bicycles: Minor Priority	Supporting non-polluting transportation like electric cars and bicycles: Not a Priority	Supporting non-polluting transportation like electric cars and bicycles: Don't Know
Improving public transportation options for the Worcester population	Improving public transportation options for the Worcester population: Major Priority	Improving public transportation options for the Worcester population: Minor Priority	Improving public transportation options for the Worcester population: Not a Priority	Improving public transportation options for the Worcester population: Don't Know
Adapting to future impacts of climate change, such as more intense storms and heat waves	Adapting to future impacts of climate change, such as more intense storms and heat waves: Major Priority	Adapting to future impacts of climate change, such as more intense storms and heat waves: Minor Priority	Adapting to future impacts of climate change, such as more intense storms and heat waves: Not a Priority	Adapting to future impacts of climate change, such as more intense storms and heat waves: Don't Know
Expanding residents' access to healthy food and active lifestyles	Expanding residents' access to healthy food and active lifestyles: Major Priority	Expanding residents' access to healthy food and active lifestyles: Minor Priority	Expanding residents' access to healthy food and active lifestyles: Not a Priority	Expanding residents' access to healthy food and active lifestyles: Don't Know

10. Thinking about sustainability initiatives in Worcester, how much of a priority do you think each of the following issues should be for Worcester city government?

Space Cell	Major Priority	Minor Priority	Not a Priority	Don't Know
Ensuring that sustainability initiatives provide benefits to low-income and minority communities	Ensuring that sustainability initiatives provide benefits to low-income and minority communities: Major Priority	Ensuring that sustainability initiatives provide benefits to low-income and minority communities: Minor Priority	Ensuring that sustainability initiatives provide benefits to low-income and minority communities: Not a Priority	Ensuring that sustainability initiatives provide benefits to low-income and minority communities: Don't Know
Implementing public information campaigns to educate residents about sustainability initiatives	Implementing public information campaigns to educate residents about sustainability initiatives: Major Priority	Implementing public information campaigns to educate residents about sustainability initiatives: Minor Priority	Implementing public information campaigns to educate residents about sustainability initiatives: Not a Priority	Implementing public information campaigns to educate residents about sustainability initiatives: Don't Know
Incorporating sustainability into the curriculum in the city's public schools	Incorporating sustainability into the curriculum in the city's public schools: Major Priority	Incorporating sustainability into the curriculum in the city's public schools: Minor Priority	Incorporating sustainability into the curriculum in the city's public schools: Not a Priority	Incorporating sustainability into the curriculum in the city's public schools: Don't Know

11. Do you think Worcester and Central Massachusetts are likely to experience impacts of climate change in the next twenty years?

12. If you think there may be climate change impacts, which of the following do you think that Worcester and Central Massachusetts are likely to experience in the next twenty years?

Heavy flooding
Extreme heat waves
Drought
More powerful storms in all seasons
More ice or freezing rain storms
Losses to farmers and agriculture in our region
None of the above

13. Thinking about your own household, how often do you do the following?

Space Cell	Most of the time	Some of the time	Hardly ever	Not available to me
Recycle (such as paper, plastic, glass)	Recycle (such as paper, plastic, glass): Most of the time	Recycle (such as paper, plastic, glass): Some of the time	Recycle (such as paper, plastic, glass): Hardly ever	Recycle (such as paper, plastic, glass): Not available to me
Recycle electronics	Recycle electronics: Most of the time	Recycle electronics: Some of the time	Recycle electronics: Hardly ever	Recycle electronics: Not available to me
Compost your food scraps	Compost your food scraps: Most of the time	Compost your food scraps: Some of the time	Compost your food scraps: Hardly ever	Compost your food scraps: Not available to me
Avoid one-use/disposable items such as water bottles	Avoid one-use/disposable items such as water bottles: Most of the time	Avoid one-use/disposable items such as water bottles: Some of the time	Avoid one-use/disposable items such as water bottles: Hardly ever	Avoid one-use/disposable items such as water bottles: Not available to me
Lower the thermostat at night in cold weather and raise it in warm weather	Lower the thermostat at night in cold weather and raise it in warm weather: Most of the time	Lower the thermostat at night in cold weather and raise it in warm weather: Some of the time	Lower the thermostat at night in cold weather and raise it in warm weather: Hardly ever	Lower the thermostat at night in cold weather and raise it in warm weather: Not available to me
Turn off lights when you leave a room	Turn off lights when you leave a room: Most of the time	Turn off lights when you leave a room: Some of the time	Turn off lights when you leave a room: Hardly ever	Turn off lights when you leave a room: Not available to me
Replace lightbulbs with energy efficient bulbs, such as LEDs	Replace lightbulbs with energy efficient bulbs, such as LEDs: Most of the time	Replace lightbulbs with energy efficient bulbs, such as LEDs: Some of the time	Replace lightbulbs with energy efficient bulbs, such as LEDs: Hardly ever	Replace lightbulbs with energy efficient bulbs, such as LEDs: Not available to me
Conserve water, such as by taking short showers and using rain barrels	Conserve water, such as by taking short showers and using rain barrels: Most of the time	Conserve water, such as by taking short showers and using rain barrels: Some of the time	Conserve water, such as by taking short showers and using rain barrels: Hardly ever	Conserve water, such as by taking short showers and using rain barrels: Not available to me
Participate in community or home gardening	Participate in community or home gardening: Most of the time	Participate in community or home gardening: Some of the time	Participate in community or home gardening: Hardly ever	Participate in community or home gardening: Not available to me
Choose locally-produced foods when possible	Choose locally-produced foods when possible: Most of the time	Choose locally-produced foods when possible: Some of the time	Choose locally-produced foods when possible: Hardly ever	Choose locally-produced foods when possible: Not available to me
Visit Worcester's parks, beaches, or conservation land	Visit Worcester's parks, beaches, or conservation land: Most of the time	Visit Worcester's parks, beaches, or conservation land: Some of the time	Visit Worcester's parks, beaches, or conservation land: Hardly ever	Visit Worcester's parks, beaches, or conservation land: Not available to me
Walk or bike, when feasible, rather than drive	Walk or bike, when feasible, rather than drive: Most of the time	Walk or bike, when feasible, rather than drive: Some of the time	Walk or bike, when feasible, rather than drive: Hardly ever	Walk or bike, when feasible, rather than drive: Not available to me

14. Other than the activities in the previous answer, do you take any other actions that make your household more sustainable?

15. How much have you heard about these sustainability initiatives currently underway in the City of Worcester?

Space Cell	A great deal	A fair amount	Not very much	Nothing at all	Unsure
The City has the largest municipally owned solar farm in New England on top of a capped landfill.	The City has the largest municipally owned solar farm in New England on top of a capped landfill.: A great deal	The City has the largest municipally owned solar farm in New England on top of a capped landfill.: A fair amount	The City has the largest municipally owned solar farm in New England on top of a capped landfill.: Not very much	The City has the largest municipally owned solar farm in New England on top of a capped landfill.: Nothing at all	The City has the largest municipally owned solar farm in New England on top of a capped landfill.: Unsure
The City replaced 14,000 of its streetlights with LED lights to save energy.	The City replaced 14,000 of its streetlights with LED lights to save energy.: A great deal	The City replaced 14,000 of its streetlights with LED lights to save energy.: A fair amount	The City replaced 14,000 of its streetlights with LED lights to save energy.: Not very much	The City replaced 14,000 of its streetlights with LED lights to save energy.: Nothing at all	The City replaced 14,000 of its streetlights with LED lights to save energy.: Unsure
Worcester has 60 parks, 20 lakes and ponds, and about 17% of its area is designated as open space.	Worcester has 60 parks, 20 lakes and ponds, and about 17% of its area is designated as open space.: A great deal	Worcester has 60 parks, 20 lakes and ponds, and about 17% of its area is designated as open space.: A fair amount	Worcester has 60 parks, 20 lakes and ponds, and about 17% of its area is designated as open space.: Not very much	Worcester has 60 parks, 20 lakes and ponds, and about 17% of its area is designated as open space.: Nothing at all	Worcester has 60 parks, 20 lakes and ponds, and about 17% of its area is designated as open space.: Unsure
Worcester has a new Blue Space program with a goal of identifying and reducing threats to the quality of the city's 20 lakes and ponds.	Worcester has a new Blue Space program with a goal of identifying and reducing threats to the quality of the city's 20 lakes and ponds.: A great deal	Worcester has a new Blue Space program with a goal of identifying and reducing threats to the quality of the city's 20 lakes and ponds.: A fair amount	Worcester has a new Blue Space program with a goal of identifying and reducing threats to the quality of the city's 20 lakes and ponds.: Not very much	Worcester has a new Blue Space program with a goal of identifying and reducing threats to the quality of the city's 20 lakes and ponds.: Nothing at all	Worcester has a new Blue Space program with a goal of identifying and reducing threats to the quality of the city's 20 lakes and ponds.: Unsure
Mass Audubon's Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester is the largest urban wildlife sanctuary in Massachusetts.	Mass Audubon's Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester is the largest urban wildlife sanctuary in Massachusetts.: A great deal	Mass Audubon's Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester is the largest urban wildlife sanctuary in Massachusetts.: A fair amount	Mass Audubon's Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester is the largest urban wildlife sanctuary in Massachusetts.: Not very much	Mass Audubon's Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester is the largest urban wildlife sanctuary in Massachusetts.: Nothing at all	Mass Audubon's Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester is the largest urban wildlife sanctuary in Massachusetts.: Unsure
Worcester has over five active watershed groups that work with city government to improve water quality in streams and ponds.	Worcester has over five active watershed groups that work with city government to improve water quality in streams and ponds.: A great deal	Worcester has over five active watershed groups that work with city government to improve water quality in streams and ponds.: A fair amount	Worcester has over five active watershed groups that work with city government to improve water quality in streams and ponds.: Not very much	Worcester has over five active watershed groups that work with city government to improve water quality in streams and ponds.: Nothing at all	Worcester has over five active watershed groups that work with city government to improve water quality in streams and ponds.: Unsure
Over 30,000 trees have been planted since Asian Longhorned Beetle infestation destroyed many trees in northern Worcester in 2009.	Over 30,000 trees have been planted since Asian Longhorned Beetle infestation destroyed many trees in northern Worcester in 2009.: A great deal	Over 30,000 trees have been planted since Asian Longhorned Beetle infestation destroyed many trees in northern Worcester in 2009.: A fair amount	Over 30,000 trees have been planted since Asian Longhorned Beetle infestation destroyed many trees in northern Worcester in 2009.: Not very much	Over 30,000 trees have been planted since Asian Longhorned Beetle infestation destroyed many trees in northern Worcester in 2009.: Nothing at all	Over 30,000 trees have been planted since Asian Longhorned Beetle infestation destroyed many trees in northern Worcester in 2009.: Unsure
In 2018-2019, the City has been working on a plan for adaptation to climate change impacts.	In 2018-2019, the City has been working on a plan for adaptation to climate change impacts.: A great deal	In 2018-2019, the City has been working on a plan for adaptation to climate change impacts.: A fair amount	In 2018-2019, the City has been working on a plan for adaptation to climate change impacts.: Not very much	In 2018-2019, the City has been working on a plan for adaptation to climate change impacts.: Nothing at all	In 2018-2019, the City has been working on a plan for adaptation to climate change impacts.: Unsure
Worcester DPW has been developing an Integrated Water Plan for long term maintenance of water and sewer infrastructure.	Worcester DPW has been developing an Integrated Water Plan for long term maintenance of water and sewer infrastructure.: A great deal	Worcester DPW has been developing an Integrated Water Plan for long term maintenance of water and sewer infrastructure.: A fair amount	Worcester DPW has been developing an Integrated Water Plan for long term maintenance of water and sewer infrastructure.: Not very much	Worcester DPW has been developing an Integrated Water Plan for long term maintenance of water and sewer infrastructure.: Nothing at all	Worcester DPW has been developing an Integrated Water Plan for long term maintenance of water and sewer infrastructure.: Unsure

16. How important is it to you that Worcester works on becoming a city that is "green" and sustainable?

Very important
Somewhat important
Not very important
Not important at all

17. These last questions are for statistical purposes only.

Which one of the following best describes your work situation?

18. if not currently employed, which of the following best describes your situation?

19. Do you have any children under age 18 in your household?

20. What is your current housing situation--own, rent, or other?

21. How many cars, if any, does your household own?

22. What is the highest level of schooling that you have completed?

23. Last year, what was your total household income from all sources, before taxes?