The Lorax Effect

A Statistical Analysis of Environmental Concern in Canada

Abstract

As the globe continues to experience the effects of climate change, researchers must continue to investigate factors that contribute to individuals' attitudes concerning climate change. This study utilizes survey data from 1,539 Canadians gathered in 2019. The data was analyzed using ordinary least square linear regression to analyze how political ideology, gender, and level of education correlate with individuals’ level of environmental concern. Approximately 83.2% of Canadians rated themselves as having a moderate level of environmental concern or higher in the collected survey data, suggesting that most Canadians express some amount of environmental concern. Canadians with a conservative political ideology have a lower level of environmental concern than their liberal counterparts. Within the Canadian context, there is no statistically significant relationship between level of education and concern for the environment. Females are more concerned, on average, about the environment, compared to males. Canadians’ gender identity seems to influence their level of environmental concern. However, more representation of non-binary individuals is needed in future data-gathering to analyze non-binary individuals' level of environmental concern. The paper further discusses these variables' effects on the level of environmental concern.