The Climate Crisis and Consumer Behavior: The Relationship between Climate Change Anxiety and Sustainable Consumption

Abstract

Research on the psychological effects of climate change is increasing, and studies suggest that climate change anxiety (CCA) can positively contribute to sustainable production and consumption as a constructive concern. Studies conducted in various countries have particularly highlighted higher levels of CCA among young individuals due to concerns about a sustainable future in the face of climate change. This exploratory study aims to examine the relationship between CCA and sustainable consumption (SC) among young individuals in Turkey. Firstly, a conceptual framework is provided for CCA and SC. Based on the assumption that individuals experiencing anxiety or concern due to the visible impacts of climate crisis will engage in climate change mitigation and adopt sustainable consumption behavior (SCB), the study found that participants had a low level of CCA. However, structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed a positive relationship between CCA and SC (β=0.295, p<0.001) among the participants. Considering the urgency of the climate crisis, this study contributes to the literature by providing exploratory insights into the role of CCA as a motivating factor for SC, highlighting the need for further detailed research in this area.