Understanding Climate Change Perceptions and Attitudes Across Racial/Ethnic Groups. Issue 1 (1st January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Elias, Troy; Dahmen, Nicole Smith; Morrison, Daniel D.; Morrison, Deborah; Morris, David L.
• Is Part Of: Howard journal of communications. Volume 30:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 38
• Page End: 56
• Publication Date: 2019-01-01
• Subjects: climate change -- ethnicity -- Maslow's hierarchy of needs -- race -- survey; Communication -- Periodicals; 302.205
• DOI: 10.1080/10646175.2018.1439420
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1064-6175

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This research uses national survey data from 727 Anglo individuals and 274 Hispanics and African Americans to examine racial differences in pro-environmental inclinations, after controlling for demographic factors. Findings disconfirm conventional wisdom about racial/ethnic minorities being less concerned about environmental and sustainability issues than Anglos. Results demonstrate that racial/ethnic minorities' concerns either surpass or are commensurate with America's racial majority group. The study also examined the direction and strength of the relationship between the multicultural sample's pro-environmental orientations and 5 factors: (a) knowledge; (b) perceived behavioral control and self-efficacy; (c) subjective norms; (d) ideologies; and (e) risk perceptions through the theoretical lens of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Findings provide implications for public outreach, message design, and multicultural climate change advocacy.