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Learning from COVID-19: Infectious Disease Vulnerability Promotes Pro-Environmental Behaviors

Author

Listed:
  • Da Jiang

    (Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
    Integrated Centre for Wellbeing, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
    Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, China)

  • Mingxuan Li

    (Department of Business Administration, School of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China)

  • Hanyang Wu

    (Department of Finance, School of Economics and Management, Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, Jilin 132000, China)

  • Shuang Liu

    (Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Environmental problems, such as climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation, are important contributors to the spread of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 and SARS. For instance, a greater concentration of ambient NO 2 was associated with faster transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. However, it remains unclear whether outbreaks of infectious diseases arouse individuals’ concern on the need to protect the environment and therefore promote more pro-environmental behaviors. To this end, we examined the relationship between infectious disease vulnerability and pro-environmental behaviors using data from a cross-societal survey ( N = 53 societies) and an experiment ( N = 214 individuals). At both the societal and the individual levels, infectious disease vulnerability increased pro-environmental behaviors. At the societal level, this relationship was mediated by citizens’ level of environmental concern. At the individual level, the relationship was mediated by empathy. The findings show that infectious disease vulnerability is conducive to pro-environmental behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Da Jiang & Mingxuan Li & Hanyang Wu & Shuang Liu, 2021. "Learning from COVID-19: Infectious Disease Vulnerability Promotes Pro-Environmental Behaviors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8687-:d:616040
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Escalas, Jennifer Edson & Stern, Barbara B, 2003. "Sympathy and Empathy: Emotional Responses to Advertising Dramas," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 29(4), pages 566-578, March.
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