How Perceived Proximity to Climate Change Threats Affects Pro-Environmental Behaviors in South Korea?

Jeeyoung Park and Kiyoung Chang ()
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Jeeyoung Park: Department of Political Science, Sungshin Women’s University, Seoul 02844, Republic of Korea
Kiyoung Chang: Department of Political Science and International Relations, Kyonggi University, Suwon 16227, Republic of Korea

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-12

Abstract: This study explores how perceived proximity to environmental threats influences pro-environmental behaviors in South Korea. We find that individuals are more likely to engage in environmentally friendly actions, such as reducing their standard of living, paying higher taxes, and purchasing higher-priced eco-friendly products when they perceive climate change as a nearby threat. Our findings highlight the importance of perceived immediacy in motivating significant lifestyle changes and financial sacrifices for environmental protection. The results also reveal that political ideology influences these behaviors, with conservative individuals showing less support for green taxes and financial sacrifices. Additionally, higher levels of education and income, along with older age, correlate with a greater willingness to adopt pro-environmental behaviors. These insights contribute to environmental psychology by highlighting the role of perceived proximity in shaping environmental attitudes and behaviors, informing the development of targeted policies aimed at fostering sustainable behaviors, and addressing local environmental threats.

Keywords: perceived proximity; environmental threat; pro-environmental behavior; South Korea (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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