Abstract

Reducing the environmental impacts of energy production and consumption is part of addressing climate change. Prior research finds political-economic factors shape climate change views, perceptions of and policy support for renewable and nonrenewable energy, and pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs). This study contributes to research in these three areas by empirically testing the anti-reflexivity thesis, which posits that forces defending the industrial capitalist system are sources of anti-reflexivity, obstructing critical self-evaluation and societal action to address climate change. Using OLS and logistic regression analysis of survey data from respondents in five states in the US Intermountain West region, we find empirical support for the effect of anti-reflexivity on climate views, energy policy support, and PEBs. We also find that PEBs in the Intermountain West still largely occur in the realm of personal conservation actions rather than being politically focused, collectively organized, or leading toward systemic change.

摘要

减少能源生产和消费对环境的影响是应对气候变化的一部分。先前的研究发现，政治-经济因素影响着气候变化的观点，对可再生和不可再生能源的看法和政策支持，以及有利于环境的行为（PEB）。本研究通过对反自反论进行了实验性检验，为这三个领域的研究做出了贡献。反自反论认为，捍卫工业资本主义制度的力量是反自反的根源，阻碍了应对气候变化的关键自我评估和社会行动。通过对来自美国西部山区五个州的受访者的调查数据进行OLS和logistic回归分析，我们发现了抗反射性对气候观点，能源政策支持和PEB的影响的经验支持。