Reported herein are the results of two surveys designed to determine
the predominant social paradigm, together with opinions on and attitudes
toward the environment and environmental issues, within the Slovene
coastal zone. The research is a cross-sectional study of selected
populations in time. Opinions of different social groups with regard to
their priority values, trust in technological development, moral
responsibility toward their environment, and readiness to participate in
environmental protection are analyzed. The study finds that a stable
economy is the primary societal goal in the Slovene coastal zone; this
must be realized before people begin to concern themselves with
environmental protection. Also, the coastal community is prepared to
participate in environmentally protective actions such as separate waste
collection, but they are not in favor of making major lifestyle changes,
although they are aware of that need.