The links between the economy and the environment are manifold: the environment provides resources and acts as a sink for emissions and waste from the economy. Humans are gradually understanding the impact of economic decisions on the planet’s sustainability and quality. The environmental impact of economic growth includes increased consumption of non-renewable resources, higher levels of pollution, global warming, and potential loss of environmental habitats. However, on the other side, it is not necessary that all forms of economic growth cause damage to the environment. The environmental change that can be brought is on the shoulders of the human race, making it all the more critical that we understand the perception that the population has on prioritizing between the environment and the economic growth. The study is based on the World Values Survey (WVS) Wave-7 (2019-21) was conducted in 59 countries with a minimum sample size of 1200 from each country. In the survey, two statements were put forward to people to discuss the environment and economic growth, and they were asked which of them was closer to their point of view. The study tries to assess the difference in the population’s perceptions towards the economy and environment by their socio-demographic characteristics and the level of development of the countries. A higher chance of protecting the environment is seen among the respondents from developed countries, with better education, more wealth and post materialistic values.

Vinod Kumar and Harshita Chari
Vinod Kumar, PhD Research Scholar, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai & Harshita Chari, PhD Research Scholar, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune

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ID Abstract: 693