Przemiany świadomości ekologicznej w Polsce jako przyczynek do refleksji nad prakseologicznymi aspektami polityki ekologicznej

The aim of the article is to present changes in environmental consciousness of Poles during the last twenty years. Data come from fourteen research reports featuring quantitative data gathered 1992 to 2011. The focus of the analysis is an assessment of environmental threats, the place of the environment in the values system, especially with regard to the perception of environmental protection in the context of economic activities, and the feeling of being informed in environmental matters. Results of the analysis bear on praxeological aspects of environmental policy. It is argued that policy aiming at raising environmental consciousness remains unsuccessful in spreading environmental actions, mostly as a result of significant trust shortages towards society’s institutions and fellow citizens. Environmental actions are those involved in social dilemmas that are characteristic for development of common goods. Overcoming those dilemmas is only possible when considerable amounts of trust and social capital is in place.