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The effect of economic affluence and ecological degradation on Chinese environmental concern: a multilevel analysis

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  • Feng Hao

Abstract

Despite being the world’s second largest economy and the single largest producer of carbon dioxide, few studies have analyzed the nature of the Chinese general public’s concern over environmental quality. This paper engages in the longstanding discussion of the postmaterialist values theory and the objective problems subjective values (OPSV) theory that might explain that concern. Specifically, I assess the impacts of economic affluence and ecologic degradation on the likelihood of environmental concern for over 3,000 individuals across 26 provinces in China. I initially use principal component factor analysis to identify three distinct dimensions of general environmental concern. I then employ correlation and regression methods to analyze the associations between these aspects of environmental concern and potential explanatory variables. Individual-level analysis and provincial-level analysis indicate that ecological degradation and economic affluence influence one’s overall environmental concern. By using empirical evidence in China to test theoretical frameworks that were originally proposed in the Western world, this paper contributes to the ongoing study of environmental concern. In addition, the formation of public environmental concern can serve as an important prerequisite to initiate collective protests and promote policy changes to improve the deteriorating environment. Copyright AESS 2014

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  • Feng Hao, 2014. "The effect of economic affluence and ecological degradation on Chinese environmental concern: a multilevel analysis," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 4(2), pages 123-131, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jenvss:v:4:y:2014:i:2:p:123-131
    DOI: 10.1007/s13412-014-0166-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chenyang Xiao & Riley E. Dunlap & Dayong Hong, 2013. "The Nature and Bases of Environmental Concern among Chinese Citizens," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 94(3), pages 672-690, September.
    2. David Cyranoski, 2007. "China struggles to square growth and emissions," Nature, Nature, vol. 446(7139), pages 954-955, April.
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    1. Dermody, Janine & Koenig-Lewis, Nicole & Zhao, Anita Lifen & Hanmer-Lloyd, Stuart, 2018. "Appraising the influence of pro-environmental self-identity on sustainable consumption buying and curtailment in emerging markets: Evidence from China and Poland," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 333-343.
    2. Chengzhi Yi & Jiajun Han & Cuihong Long, 2023. "Does Internet Use Increase Public Perception of Environmental Pollution?—Evidence from China," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 166(3), pages 665-685, April.
    3. Yan Wang & Feng Hao & Yunxia Liu, 2021. "Pro-Environmental Behavior in an Aging World: Evidence from 31 Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.

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