Abstract

Environmental policy has recently taken on greater salience in Canadian politics. However we know very little about Canadians' concern for the environment. Exactly, how concerned are Canadians about the environment? And more importantly what specifically are they concerned about? Has the degree of Canadians' environmental concern shifted over time? And where do concerns about climate change and green house gas emissions rank among Canadians various attitudes on the environment? In this thesis, I will use cross-time data from the Canadian Environmental Monitor (1987-2007) to conduct a systematic analysis of Canadians' concern for the environment and explore the ways in which is rationalized. For instance, has concern about climate change and green house gas emissions actually grow? And what accounts for Canadians' environmental concerns? Do concerns over climate change have implications for Canadians' willingness to protect the natural environment? If so, what is the nature of this association?