Constitutional Commitments, Civic Consequences: Whether Environmental Provisions Shape Youth Eco-Citizenship Across 22 Countries

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 1:45 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Youth, Place, and Environmental Citizenship

Abstract

While many countries now include environmental provisions in their constitutions (EPICs), it is unclear whether these legal commitments lead to greater environmental awareness and civic engagement. Compared to environmental INGOs—long recognized for spreading global environmental norms—EPICs have received limited empirical study. This research tests both mechanisms using data from the 2016 International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS), covering over 94,000 students in 22 countries. Hierarchical linear modeling reveals that EPICs are positively associated with students’ environmental opportunities to learn (EOL) and eco-citizenship, while EINGO membership shows no significant effect. These findings suggest that constitutional environmental commitments may be more effective than transnational ties in promoting environmental learning and civic participation among youth.

Author

• Darren Rabinowitz, Teachers College, Columbia University