Public Confidence in Environmental Protection Movements: An Empirical Analysis Using World Values Survey

Abstract

This study examines public confidence in environmental protection movements using individual-level data from the World Values Survey conducted between 2017 and 2022. Drawing on a sample of 83,808 respondents across 66 countries, the analysis explores how demographic characteristics, socioeconomic position, contextual factors, and subjective well-being shape confidence in environmental organizations. A linear probability model is employed with a binary measure distinguishing between high and low confidence. The results show that confidence is higher among women and rural residents, and declines slightly with age and higher educational attainment. Subjective social class and employment status display modest associations. The strongest and most consistent determinant is happiness, with higher well-being strongly linked to greater confidence in environmental movements. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of both structural conditions and subjective experiences in shaping public trust in environmental organizations.