Do environmental preferences in wealthy nations persist in times of crisis?: The European environmental attitudes (2008-2017)

Cotta Benedetta ^[1] ; Memoli Vincenzo ^[2]
1. [1] Leuphana University
  
  Leuphana University
  
  Landkreis Lüneburg, Alemania
2. [2] University of Catania
  
  University of Catania
  
  Catania, Italia
Localización: Rivista italiana di scienza politica, ISSN 0048-8402, ISSN-e 2057-4908, Vol. 50, Nº. 1, 2020, págs. 1-16
Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
- How do economic recessions affect European citizens’ attitudes towards environmental policies? In this article we investigate the attitudes of European citizens towards environmental protection considering its importance both at individual and country levels and adopting a longitudinal view. In light of the existing research on the link between pro-environmental attitudes and economic affluence of societies, including Ronald Inglehart’s theory of post-materialism, we hypothesise that levels of economic well-being as well as trust in political institutions are important drivers of Europeans’ attitudes towards environmental protection. Taking into consideration some macroeconomic indicators and the environmental attitude of public opinion, our main results show that even in time of crises, citizens’ pro-environmental attitudes persist in terms of importance, both at country and individual levels.