Comment on the Decline in Public Support for Environmental Protection

R. E. Dunlap & D. A. Dillman (see SA S04281/RSS/1975/0605) have reported findings from a panel study of Wash residents that public interest in environmental protection has waned. However, the Dunlap & Dillman study does not take into account the possibility that their sample's reduced interest was due simply to aging. Further, the nearly 50% attrition between the first & second samples leaves the possibility open that the study dealt with too selected a population to be generalizable. In Evidence of Decline in Public Concern with Environmental Quality: A Reply, Riley E. Dunlap, Kent D. Van Liere, & D. A. Dillman (Washington State University, Pullman) present additional data suggesting that 4 years of added age make no significant difference; the historical changes over the same period offer a more plausible explanation. Evidence from other studies suggests that 50% response is likely to be little less representative than 90%. Further, several other studies have also reported decline in public concern with the environment. Such decline is typical of public issues in general. W. H. Stoddard.