The new ecological paradigm and responses to climate change in China

Author(s)
Xue, Sherry
Marks, Anthony
Hine, Don W
Phillips, Wendy J
Zhao, Shouying
Publication Date
2018
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a Chinese-Mandarin version of the revised new ecological paradigm (NEP-R) scale. In a sample of 515 Mandarin-speaking Chinese nationals, we first assessed the factor structure and internal consistency of the NEP-R and assessed its validity by examining associations with global warming risk perceptions and mitigation behavior. Respondents completed the NEP-R scale, together with measures of risk perception and mitigation behavior. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a two-factor solution, reflecting ecocentric and anthropocentric worldviews, best fit the data. Multi-group path analysis revealed that respondents with stronger ecocentric and weaker anthropocentric worldviews perceived more risks associated with global warming. In turn, respondents who perceived more risks reported engaging in more global warming mitigation behaviors. But importantly, the path between risk perceptions and behavior was significantly stronger for highly educated respondents than for less educated respondents, suggesting that education may represent an important strategy for bridging the gap between perceived risks about global warming and action.
Citation
Journal of Risk Research, 21(3), p. 323-339
ISSN
1466-4461
1366-9877
Link
Publisher
Routledge
Title
The new ecological paradigm and responses to climate change in China
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

Files:

NameSizeformatDescriptionLink