Spanish Environmental Generations in the Twentieth Century

Abstract

This article is an attempt to relate the concept of generation, as a variable that helps to explain certain environmental behaviors, with theories on intergenerational changes in values (Inglehart, 1977, 1991, 1998; Inglehart & Flanagan, 1987). This theory predicts an increase in post-materialistic values in more developed societies, with ecology being one of these values. According to these forecasts, a greater ecological commitment should be expected from younger generations in developed societies, where material needs are covered. However, my data did not fit into predictions of this theory. On the contrary, there is evidence of an increase in values which could, in a certain way, be called low-cost post-materialistic, applying the term proposed by Diekmann & Preisendörfer (2003).