About the Project

Connecting Climate Attitudes to Reef-Protective Behavior at Coastal Sites in Belize

Coral reef ecosystems in Belize face mounting pressure from climate change and coastal tourism. One growing but manageable threat is the use of chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate — ingredients empirically linked to coral bleaching and reef damage. Despite increasing awareness and policy action, visitor compliance with reef-safe sunscreen practices remains inconsistent. This study examines the gap between what visitors believe about environmental protection and what they actually do at the beach.

Using intercept surveys and a field-based behavioral experiment conducted with beachgoers at a coastal site in Belize, the project measures baseline environmental knowledge and climate change attitudes, tests brief point-of-decision educational interventions, and directly observes whether visitors choose reef-safe sunscreen after receiving targeted messaging. The study is designed to move beyond self-reported intentions and capture real-time behavior in the field.

The findings will provide coastal managers and conservation agencies with evidence-based guidance on which low-cost, scalable educational strategies are most effective at shifting visitor behavior — and which visitor characteristics moderate that effect. Results will be shared with Belizean agencies to inform reef protection policy, visitor education programs, and sustainable tourism management.