Self Image and Environmental Attitude and Behavior

In this paper, we examine some important aspects related to safeguarding environmental quality. Beginning by defining the identity of the agents considered, we conceptually describe how while they have different identities, they can be simultaneously influenced by three distinct elements: self image and environmental attitude and behavior. We define self image as the individual's willingness to cooperate for the sake of the public good, we define environmental attitude as the individual's concern regarding waste prevention and disposal, and the environmental behavior as the individual's recycling behavior. Using the 1998 wave of the Multipurpose Household Survey (MHS), which is conducted annually by the Italian Central Statistical Office, and univariate probit models, we show that there is a positive relationship among these factors that is robust to the inclusion of social participation variables and to the use of a sub-sample of individuals who have no interest in environmental issues.