Understanding Environmentalism: The Interplay between Politics and Religion on Environmental Attitudes from Rural Utah

• Published in: Society & natural resources Vol. 36; no. 4; pp. 405 - 424
• Main Authors: Cope, Michael R., Muirbrook, Kayci A., Park, Paige N., Sanders, Scott R., Ward, Carol, Sumsion, Rachel M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Routledge 03-04-2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Attitudes; Demographics; Demography; Environment; Environmental attitudes; Environmental behavior; Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Latter-day Saint; Membership; Mormon; political affiliation; Political attitudes; Political identity; Politics; Regression analysis; religion; Religion & politics; Religious identity; rural; Rural environments; Sampling; Sociodemographics
• ISSN: 0894-1920; 1521-0723
• DOI: 10.1080/08941920.2023.2169423

Previous research found that socio-demographic characteristics are significant predictors of environmental behaviors and attitudes, including political affiliation and religious identity. However, the consistency of religious identity and political affiliation as predictors of environmental attitudes and behaviors is still contested. This study investigates whether religious affiliation is a significant determinant of environmental attitudes (EA) or whether political affiliation is a better predictor. Sampling 25 rural towns in Utah, USA. with homogenous religious identities and political affiliations, we replicate past regression analyses from similar studies. We conclude that although our results are generally consistent with the literature, unlike what the replicated studies suggest, religious identity is not a consistent predictor of EA. Rather, political affiliation is a stronger predictor. Our research, therefore, clarifies socio-demographic characteristics that serve as predictors of EA and provides a nuanced understanding of rural EA.