How Does Partisanship Influence Attitudes on Improving the Environment and Environmental Protection?
Abstract (300 words maximum)
How does partisanship influence attitudes on improving the environment and environmental protection? Although partisanship is not the only defining factor that shapes environmental sentiments, it has become a significant indicator as rising temperatures and frequent climate disasters increasingly impact the United States. I theorized that liberals tend to prioritize environmentalism, whereas conservatives exhibit less concern for the environment. Based on these considerations, I formulated two hypotheses. In my first analysis, I hypothesized (H1) that conservatives believe we spend too much on environmental protection, while liberals believe we do not spend enough. Additionally, age serves as an important variable, as generational effects may influence the relationship between partisanship and attitudes toward environmental protection; therefore, I controlled for this factor. I used the GSS Cumulative Datafile dataset from the years 1972 to 2022 while filtering for the years 2006 and 2016. These years represent pivotal moments in the rhetoric surrounding climate action, which may further influence the relationship between these variables. In my second analysis, I hypothesized (H2) that in 2016, liberals and conservatives, controlling for age, are less likely to support government funding for environmental protection compared to 2006. The results for H1 suggested that the relationship is less meaningful with a Gamma coefficient of 0.26, but it is statistically significant with a P-value of 0. The findings for H2 were particularly interesting. In 2006, the relationship is meaningful with a Gamma coefficient of 0.31, and it is statistically significant with a P-value of 0. While looking at 2016, the relationship was meaningful with a Gamma coefficient of 0.47 and a P-value of 0, demonstrating that this is a strong, statistically significant relationship. Overall, this research deepens our understanding of how partisanship shapes American attitudes toward environmental improvement and protection and the role of age and year in mediating these relationships.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Government and International Affairs
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Benjamin Taylor
How Does Partisanship Influence Attitudes on Improving the Environment and Environmental Protection?
How does partisanship influence attitudes on improving the environment and environmental protection? Although partisanship is not the only defining factor that shapes environmental sentiments, it has become a significant indicator as rising temperatures and frequent climate disasters increasingly impact the United States. I theorized that liberals tend to prioritize environmentalism, whereas conservatives exhibit less concern for the environment. Based on these considerations, I formulated two hypotheses. In my first analysis, I hypothesized (H1) that conservatives believe we spend too much on environmental protection, while liberals believe we do not spend enough. Additionally, age serves as an important variable, as generational effects may influence the relationship between partisanship and attitudes toward environmental protection; therefore, I controlled for this factor. I used the GSS Cumulative Datafile dataset from the years 1972 to 2022 while filtering for the years 2006 and 2016. These years represent pivotal moments in the rhetoric surrounding climate action, which may further influence the relationship between these variables. In my second analysis, I hypothesized (H2) that in 2016, liberals and conservatives, controlling for age, are less likely to support government funding for environmental protection compared to 2006. The results for H1 suggested that the relationship is less meaningful with a Gamma coefficient of 0.26, but it is statistically significant with a P-value of 0. The findings for H2 were particularly interesting. In 2006, the relationship is meaningful with a Gamma coefficient of 0.31, and it is statistically significant with a P-value of 0. While looking at 2016, the relationship was meaningful with a Gamma coefficient of 0.47 and a P-value of 0, demonstrating that this is a strong, statistically significant relationship. Overall, this research deepens our understanding of how partisanship shapes American attitudes toward environmental improvement and protection and the role of age and year in mediating these relationships.