Abstract
Environmental skepticism refers to doubt about the authenticity or severity of environmental threats facing the world today. Using Canadian data from the International Social Survey Program conducted in 2011 and structural equation modelling, this study explores social determinants of environmental skepticism and its impact on environmental behaviour. Cognitive bias, generalized trust, and competing concern theories are found to be effective in explaining why some Canadians are more skeptical than others. Certain worldviews (a high level of religiosity, conservative political ideology), lack of trust in general society, and competing non-environmental concerns are three key factors underlying environmental skepticism in Canada. This study further finds that environmental skepticism has a real impact on individuals' environmental behaviour. It inhibits both the adoption of environmentally friendly lifestyles and engagement in environmentalist activism. Environmental skepticism thus can be a serious barrier to building an environmentally sustainable society in Canada.
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