New Ecological Paradigm Scale – Revised

What it measures

Measures endorsement of a pro-ecological worldview — the belief that humans are part of nature, that the natural environment has limits, and that ecological crises are real and serious. The most widely used measure of environmental attitude in the social sciences. In tourism research, NEP scores predict responsible tourist behaviour, sustainable accommodation choice, willingness to pay green premiums, and carbon offset adoption. Alternating pro-NEP and anti-NEP wording across items controls for acquiescence bias. Used extensively to segment tourism markets by environmental orientation and to identify 'green' tourist profiles.

Response format

Likert (1–5, strongly agree to strongly disagree); alternating pro-NEP and anti-NEP items

Scale items

• We are approaching the limit of the number of people the earth can support.
• Humans have the right to modify the natural environment to suit their needs. (R)
• When humans interfere with nature it often produces disastrous consequences.
• Human ingenuity will insure that we do NOT make the earth unlivable. (R)
• Humans are severely abusing the environment.
• The earth has plenty of natural resources if we just learn how to develop them. (R)
• Plants and animals have as much right as humans to exist.
• The balance of nature is strong enough to cope with the impacts of modern industrial nations. (R)
• Despite our special abilities humans are still subject to the laws of nature.
• The so-called 'ecological crisis' facing humankind has been greatly exaggerated. (R)
• The earth is like a spaceship with very limited room and resources.
• Humans were meant to rule over the rest of nature. (R)
• The balance of nature is very delicate and easily upset.
• Humans will eventually learn enough about how nature works to be able to control it. (R)
• If things continue on their present course, we will soon experience a major ecological catastrophe.

Full scale items shown. Always cite the original source when using this scale in research.

Usage notes & scoring

(R) = reverse-scored (anti-NEP items). Higher total = stronger pro-ecological worldview. NEP scores are highest among younger, higher-educated, politically progressive respondents. Predicts actual pro-environmental behaviour most robustly when combined with perceived behavioural control and moral norms. Original NEP (Dunlap & Van Liere, 1978) used 12 items; NEP-R is the 15-item revised standard.

Recommended companion scales

Citation

Dunlap, R.E., Van Liere, K.D., Mertig, A.G., & Jones, R.E. (2000). Measuring endorsement of the new ecological paradigm: A revised NEP scale. Journal of Social Issues, 56(3), 425–442.

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