This paper expands the relevance of the collective interest model of mass political action to explain collective-action behavior
in the context of global warming and climate change. The analysis is an attempt to answer Ostrom’s call for a behavioral model
of collective action that can be generalized beyond political protest to other collective-action problems. We elaborate, specify,
and empirically test a collective interest model approach to citizen policy support, environmental political participation,
and environmental behavior related to the issue of global warming. Key elements of the collective interest model—perceived
risk, personal efficacy, and environmental values—are found to be directly, and positively, related to support of government
policies and personal behaviors that affect global warming. We also discuss the links between the collective interest model
and other important approaches to political behavior.
Keywords Collective action - Environmental behavior - Environmental activism - Global warming - Political participation - Climate change
This material is based upon research conducted by the Institute for Science, Technology and Public Policy at Texas A&M University
and supported under Award No. NA03OAR4310164 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department
of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect
the views of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the Department of Commerce.