The politics behind environmentalism: How political ideological development in emerging adulthood may play a role

Abstract

Emerging adulthood is considered an important period in identity formation (Arnett, 2000). In this study, we consider how political ideological development during emerging adulthood may influence environmental beliefs, identity and actions in adulthood. To explore these relationships, we used longitudinal data initially collected in 1999 from over 300 Canadian adolescents (age 19) who were monitored into adulthood (age 32). Political ideology was assessed at ages 19, 23 and 32. Environmental beliefs, identity and behavior were collected at age 32. Using latent growth curve modeling, we found that changes in political ideology from age 19 to 32 negatively predicted the environmental measures: as people became more conservative over emerging adulthood, they were less environmentally-oriented in adulthood. These results are discussed within a larger political discourse focused on environmental actions and concerns about climate change.