Culture as a Determinant of Environmental Protection in Developing Nations

Haag, Sarah

Publication

Culture as a Determinant of Environmental Protection in Developing Nations

Haag, Sarah

Date

2015

Additional date(s)

2015-05-01

Abstract

This study examines the explanatory role of culture regarding biodiversity levels in developing nations. Two hypotheses ascertaining that culture is significant in determining the health of the environment in developing countries were derived from the Inglehart-Welzer Cultural Map of the World Values Survey, and an examination of data from the Yale Environmental Performance Index. Through a mixed method approach, I use quantitative analysis to test these hypotheses and examine biodiversity trends among the least developing nations on earth. From this analysis, case studies of Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali and Zambia were utilized to demonstrate culture as a determinant of biodiversity levels in each country. Both hypotheses were supported, and harbor implications for the future of environmental protection.