Conserving nature, resisting change: Political conservatism and evasion of anti-systemic environmentalisms

Conventional wisdom and scientific research suggest that political conservatism is at odds with support for environmentalism. Across two survey studies and an experiment (total N = 1995) we consider the possibility that this relationship varies by environmentalism type and ethnic-racial category. Whereas political conservatism was negatively related to support for environmentalism, this relationship was significantly weaker for initiatives that prioritize conservation of supposedly pristine nature (Wilderness Preservation; WP) than initiatives that advocate techno-fixes to ecological degradation (Ecomodernism; EM) or acknowledge and address power structures and the suffering of marginalized groups (Environmental Justice; EJ; Studies 1–3), and these patterns were generally more pronounced among White compared to Black and Latine participants (Studies 2 and 3). Study 3 provides causal evidence that the relationship of conservatism with support varies by environmentalism type and shows that this relationship varies by ethnic-racial category. Mediation analyses reveal that the weaker relationship of conservatism with WP support (versus EM and EJ) stemmed in part from the perception of EM and especially EJ as threats to U.S. society. We emphasize the importance of foregrounding sociocultural context in the study of political ideology, ‘polarization,’ and environmentalism. • Conservatism is negatively related to support for environmentalism. • This is less evident for forms that advance conservation than those seeking justice. • Conservatism more strongly linked to support among White participants. • Differences in relationships stem from threat environmentalisms pose to status-quo. • Sociocultural perspectives are critical to the study of environmentalism.