Barriers to Individual Environmental Action: The Influence of Attitudes and Social Experiences

Using data from a 1990 random sample of 448 Edmonton residents and applying LISREL techniques, selected perceptual, situation, and structural influences on environmental lifestyle choices are examined using structural equation models that feature environmental attitudes as a mediating variable. An exploration of the factors that influence consistency in environmental attitude and behavior in this case supplements the analysis. Findings suggest that levels of the individual environmental behaviors examined here will remain low, regardless of concern, unless an environmental issue is linked to immediate personal concerns, or societal arrangements exist that help to reduce the costs of compliance and facilitate cooperative action.