Citizens’ support to nature in Aruba—A study on sustainability and wellbeing

Abstract

Islands worldwide comprise about 6.7 % of Earth's land surface area, and are home to about 10 % of the world’s population. In addition, estimates suggest that islands host about 20 % of global areas defined as nature ecosystems. Unfortunately, extinction rates on islands are as high as 95 % of birds, 90 % of reptiles, 69 % of mammals and 68 % of plants. A collapse of biodiversity will threaten human life, health and wellbeing in future. The main aim of this article is to investigate the influence of contextual nature-related and socio-economic factors on subjective wellbeing perceptions among the Aruban inhabitants. A total of 771 residents of Aruba responded to a survey in 2023/2024. The results show that they exhibit very similar patterns in strongly prioritizing nature. Whereas 89 % of Dutch-born inhabitants reported having a very strong or strong connection with nature, this was true for 74 % of Aruba-born inhabitants, and 80 % of the people born elsewhere. Moreover, the results show that for socio-economic factors, the highest risk of wellbeing was reported to be income limitations. Only a share of 36 % of Aruba-born worked in the tourist branch, whereas 55 % of the residents born elsewhere did. Hence, in the relative intensive tourism industry in Aruba, the local communities have relatively low involvement in the tourism sector. Overall, this research contributes to deepening insights into the need for a shift towards a regenerative tourism approach, relying on the involvement and capabilities of local communities to foster sustainability and resilience to achieve the desired Sustainable Development Goals.