Predictors of youth climate collective action: extending the theory of planned behavior framework to examine identity and communication

Abstract

Due to the growing concern of the global climate change crisis and young adults responding to this crisis in large numbers by engaging in public-sphere environmental actions, this study seeks to more deeply understand motivations and barriers of this young population to engage in environmental action. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework, which uses attitudes, social norms and perceived behavioral control to predict both behavior and behavioral intention, often in a private-sphere behavioral context, this study aims to extend the TPB by adding additional variables, such as environmental communication, climate change social media use, environmental identity and political identity, that more accurately predict public-sphere collective action. It also examines practical constraints related to time, money and access. Using an online survey of adults aged 18 to 29, this study found that environmental communication, climate change social media use and environmental identity are all strong and significant predictors for both action intentions and action. It also found that political identity is a significant predictor of intentions but not action. Environmental action intentions are significant predictors towards action. Lastly, this study found that demographics, social norms, perceived behavioral control, attitudes and practical constraints are all not significant predictors of environmental action or intentions for this population. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.