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Concern about environmental pollution: how much difference do race and ethnicity make? A New Jersey case study
1Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-1958, USA. mrg@rci.rutgers.edu
Environmental Health Perspectives
|April 7, 2005
Summary
Environmental concern varies significantly across racial and ethnic groups in New Jersey. Understanding diverse environmental perceptions is crucial for effective environmental protection strategies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Environmental pollution concerns and support for environmental movements often differ across demographic groups.
- Previous models of environmentalism primarily focused on white, educated, and liberal populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate racial and ethnic disparities in environmental pollution concerns and support for environmental protection among New Jersey residents.
- To examine how traditional demographic predictors of environmentalism apply to diverse and growing subpopulations.
Main Methods:
- A survey of 1,513 New Jersey residents conducted between March and May 2004.
- Analysis of self-reported concern about environmental pollution and support for environmental action.
- Regression analyses to identify demographic correlates of environmental concern.
Main Results:
- Non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, and English-speaking Hispanic Americans expressed significantly higher concern about environmental pollution compared to Asian Americans and Spanish-speaking Hispanic Americans.
- Traditional demographic predictors (e.g., education) were less consistent for Asian and Spanish-speaking Hispanic Americans.
- Racial and ethnic differences were observed in desire for government action and personal support for environmentalism.
Conclusions:
- Environmental concern and engagement are not uniform across all racial and ethnic groups.
- Current demographic models of environmentalism do not fully capture the nuances of Asian and Spanish-speaking Hispanic American populations.
- Further research is needed to understand the environmental perceptions of rapidly growing, diverse subpopulations to inform environmental protection efforts.