Abstract
We are exploring the nuanced ways in which uncontrollable factors, such as political polarization, shape public opinion on environmentalism over time. While extensive research has documented the decline in public support for environmentalism and its association with factors like age, gender, education, income, and political affiliation, these studies often fail to account for the broader socio-political contexts influencing these attitudes. We are using hierarchical age-period-cohort (HAPC) models to analyze trends in Americans’ willingness to support environmental spending from 1973 to 2014, using data from the General Social Survey (GSS). It builds on previous work by considering individual traits and key period factors, such as media coverage, political elite influence, and economic conditions, in an attempt to more comprehensively understand the complex factors shaping public environmental attitudes. Existing HAPC models have provided valuable insights into the role of political affiliation and period effects but have yet to be applied to environmental opinions. As such, there is still a need for methodological advancements that account for those broader social, economic, and political influences. By incorporating additional period factors, we aim to enhance our understanding of how political and economic contexts interact with individual characteristics to drive changes in public support for environmentalism over time.
Presenters
Jordan LipnerStudent, Environmental Studies and Political Science, University of Central Florida, Florida, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Economic, Social, and Cultural Context
KEYWORDS
POLITICAL BEHAVIOR, PUBLIC OPINION, POLARIZATION, ENVIRONMENTALISM, POLICY FRAMING, UNITED STATES
