Pro- and anti-climate activism: The ideological correlates of intentions to engage in collective action for - and against - environmental protections

Abstract

Although the correlates of climate activism are well-known, few studies examine why some protest against protecting the environment. We address this oversight by conducting a national survey that investigated the ideological correlates of intentions to engage in pro- and anti-climate activism. We divided participants into two groups based on whether they were in support of (n = 4530) or against (n = 714) Australia acting to reduce its contribution to climate change. These groups then completed pro- and anti-climate activism intention scales, respectively. We disentangled facets of ideological attitudes to examine the extent that social dominance orientation and the dimensions of right-wing authoritarianism uniquely contribute to activism intentions. We found that while controlling for these other ideological facets, social dominance orientation and authoritarian conservatism (submission) related negatively, and authoritarian traditionalism related positively, with both forms of activist intentions. Authoritarian aggression and free market ideology were associated with lower intentions to engage in pro-climate activism, but not significantly related to anti-climate activism intentions. These results demonstrate both the shared and unique ideological correlates of activism for and against environmental protections. Show more