Gender Differences in Environmental Orientations: a Comparison of Publics and Activists in Canada and the U.S

Abstract

T ? zHIS study analyzes gender differences in the environmental orientations of male and female publics and environmental activists in two postindustrial nations -Canada and the United States. We are primarily interested in the following questions: (1) Are women more likely than men to hold pro-environmental beliefs? (2) If so, will this difference be evident among both the general public and those individuals who have already distinguished themselves from the general public by joining environmental organizations? (3) Will this difference persist when publics and activists are compared in two countries that take opposing viewpoints on the environmental issue of most concern in this study-acid rain? These questions will be addressed through analyses of survey responses from samples of the general public and members of environmental organizations in the Canadian Province of Ontario and the State of Michigan.