A Comparison of Environmental Values and Attitudes Between Chinese in Canada and Anglo-Canadians

Abstract

This study examines similarities and differences in environmental values and attitudes between two cultural groups—Chinese in Canada and Anglo-Canadians. The results indicate that Chinese are more supportive of social-altruistic values than are Anglo-Canadians. However, the two groups are not significantly different in biospheric values. Moreover, both groups are significantly different in two of four new environmental paradigm (NEP) subscales— limits to growth and antianthropocentrism—whereas their attitudes toward the other two NEP subscales— eco-crisis and balance-of-nature—are similar. Study results also suggest that biospheric values are closely related to the NEP, whereas social-altruistic values are not. In addition, acculturation does not consistently affect all six subscales, suggesting that Chinese in Canada may have adopted a selective acculturation pattern. Finally, this study's findings also endorse some previous research that proposes that value orientations may be more helpful in understanding environmental concern than sociodemographic variables such as age, education, and income.