Political Conservatism, Religion, and Environmental Consumption in the United States

• In Event: 366 - Open Refereed Roundtable Session II
  In Refereed Roundtable: B. Table 24. Public Opinion

Abstract

This paper examines the role of political conservatism and religion in shaping environmental consumption in the US. Existing literature suggests that, while there is a mixed relationship between religion and environmentalism, political conservatives are unlikely to support environmentalism. Using nationally representative survey data from the Religious Understanding of Science study, we too find mixed results regarding the relationship of religion and environmental consumption. We find that religious service attendance and religious identity are positively related to environmental consumption while belief in an involved God is negatively related. We find, however, that increased levels of religiosity mute the otherwise strong negative effect of political conservatism on environmental consumption. This suggests, surprisingly, that green marketers and activists are likely to face less conservative resistance to environmental consumption among religious Americans.

Authors

• Simranjit Khalsa, Rice University

• Jared L. Peifer, City University of New York-Baruch College

• Elaine Howard Ecklund, Rice University