Abstract

In this paper, we analyze a rather vaguely-defined concept of environmental consciousness by examining causal association among sub-concepts that constitute environmental consciousness; environmental concern, environmental policy evaluation, and environmental practice. An empirical research is conducted on Korean Ministry of Environment's 2000 survey. It was found that environmental concern and environmental practice were highly correlated. While environmental policy evaluation did not show any significant relationship with them, it depended heavily on regime-intimacy instead. Socio-economic factors showed different effects on sub-concepts. Elder and more-educated people showed more environmental concern while female and elderly people were more active on environmental practice. These findings are different from foreign studies, which may suggest that our environmental movement could be understood quite differently from their experience.

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