Global convergence and national disparities in the structure of environmental attitudes and their linkage to pro-environmental behaviours
Journal
Environmental Values
Journal Volume
29
Journal Issue
3
Pages
261-291
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Fu, Y.-C.
Abstract
Although similar environmental issues are present across the globe, residents of different countries vary in the extent to which they are concerned about and act upon these issues. Drawing on data from the 2010 Environment module of the International Social Survey Programme, this study tests the structural com-parability of environmental attitudes across 32 countries and examines how pro-environmental behaviours are linked to relevant attitudes. A confirmatory factor analysis from structural equation modelling helps identify three latent constructs of environmental attitudes: willingness to sacrifice, biospheric ori-entation and environmental scepticism. Further regression analyses reveal that the linkages between pro-environmental behaviours and the constructs of environmental attitudes converge in some countries but are less consistent in others. The findings help pinpoint signs of global convergence and national disparities, which merit more extensive analyses amid the recent surge in the availability of diverse empirical data from around the world.
Type
journal article