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The Generational Divide in Support for Environmental Policies: European Evidence

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Abstract

This article examines age variations in support for environmental protection policies that affect climate change using a sample of over 14,000 respondents to a 1999 Eurobarometer survey. There is a steady decline with age in whether respondents are willing to incur higher gasoline prices to protect the environment. This relationship remains after controlling for socioeconomic characteristics. There are age-related differences in information about environmental risks, information sources about the environment, perceived health risks from climate change, and degree of worry about climate change. However, taking these factors into account does not eliminate the age variation in willingness to pay more for gasoline to protect the environment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Adjunct Professor of Law, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA

    Joni Hersch

  2. Cogan Professor of Law & Economics, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA, USA, 02138

    W. Kip Viscusi

Authors
  1. Joni Hersch
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  2. W. Kip Viscusi
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Correspondence to Joni Hersch.

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Hersch, J., Viscusi, W.K. The Generational Divide in Support for Environmental Policies: European Evidence. Climatic Change 77, 121–136 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-006-9074-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-006-9074-x

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