Explaining pro-environmental behavior by attitudinal orientations, environmental justice beliefs and environmental concern

Human action is indicated as the primary cause of ecological degradation accompanying climate change. To stop climate change, individuals must act. Defining the underlying mechanisms behind pro-environmental behavior is crucial to increase these actions. Assuming that individuals' general attitudinal orientations, as well as their beliefs about the environment, might have a role in the backdrop of pro-environmental behavior, this thesis tests the effects of attitudinal orientations i.e., (right wing authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, and ecological dominance orientation), environmental justice beliefs, and environmental concern on pro-environmental behavior. Results indicate that, firstly, ecological dominance orientation mediates a negative relationship between right wing authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, and pro-environmental behavior. Secondly, environmental concern, mediates a positive relationship between right wing authoritarianism and pro-environmental behavior whereas it mediates a negative relationship between social dominance orientation and pro-environmental behavior. Lastly, environmental justice belief fails to mediate the links between right wing authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, and pro-environmental behavior. The results and possible implications are discussed within the relevant literature.