Is There a "Race" Effect on Concern for Environmental Quality?

In: Public opinion quarterly: journal of the American Association for Public Opinion Research, Band 62, Heft 4, S. 475-505

Abstract

Three theoretical hyhpotheses of racial differences in environmental concern are posed: (1) hierarchy of needs, (2) cultural differences, & (3) environmental deprivation. The first two predict that African Americans are less concerned about the environment than are whites, but the third predicts that they are more concerned than are whites. The hypotheses were tested in a survey of 793 residents in the Detroit (MI) metropolitan area, which found little evidence to support the theoretical explanations of less environmental concern among African Americans. On the contrary, few differences were found, even over the nature preservation issues. The only significant differences were about local environmental problems, with African Americans expressing substantially greater concern than did whites. That racial differences in concern about such issues is a function of the disproportionate burden of environmental disamenities in African American neighborhoods is demonstrated by a multivariate analysis employing a wide range of local environmental quality indicators. 5 Tables, 1 Appendix, 46 References. Adapted from the source document.