本研究探討威權體制下的中國大陸，其公民與環境意識如何面對環境污染問題的發展，進而採取保護行動。此為初探性研究，使用2013年的中國社會變遷調查資料庫，分析在面臨環境問題日益嚴重的情況下，公民的態度或感知如何影響其利環境的參與保護行動。本研究發現，在2012年習政府上任時，威權體制下的公民環境保護行動，係將牽涉到對治理系統的信仰與順服，當公民愈相信當權體制運作本身已能充分對公民負責，個人的利環境行為便不再那麼必須。制度及結構上的限制，使得中國公民對環境行動選擇寧願保持沉默。

This study explores the underdeveloped concept of citizen-right and environmental awareness in the context of authoritarian China. Facing environmental degradation, the Chinese people have engaged in environmental protection in different ways. Against this background, this study examines the attitudes and perceptions among the Chinese people on environmental issues using the China General Social Survey (CGSS) in 2013. The study not only shows the views of Chinese people on environmental protection when Xi Jinping became the president of China in 2012 but also reveals that in the context of authoritarian regimes-perhaps due to compliance with or faith in the accountability of the governing system-citizen rights awareness during collective decisions undermines citizens’ willingness to make individual contributions. Both institutional friction and structural constraints have made Chinese citizens silent towards environmental actions.