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Examining the Relationships between Factors Influencing Environmental Behaviour among University Students

Author

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  • Jari Kukkonen

    (School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, P.O. Box 111, 8010 Joensuu, Finland)

  • Sirpa Kärkkäinen

    (School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, P.O. Box 111, 8010 Joensuu, Finland)

  • Tuula Keinonen

    (School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, P.O. Box 111, 8010 Joensuu, Finland)

Abstract

Education for sustainability may be seen as consisting of four dimensions: sensitivity and attitudes toward the environment, awareness and knowledge of the environment, environmentally friendly actions and participation. A questionnaire was drawn up which includes statements concerning all these dimensions and it was filled out by 674 university students from different majors. Data were analysed statistically and a structural equation model was formed. Results indicate that sensitivity toward or awareness of nature is the basis for the enjoyment of nature. The enjoyment of nature is directly positively related to the intention of support pro-environmental activity and to environmental knowledge. Furthermore, it has a mediational effect on ecological knowledge, concern, or the belief of human dominance over nature. Students who possess global concerns do not accept human dominance and this is related to the intent to support environmental activities. Students were found to form groups: “Sorters.” “Occasional actors” and “Resource savers.” Compared to prior research, due to the additional items concerning environmental sensitivity and awareness in our instrument, we were able to uncover the importance of sensitivity to the enjoyment of nature in the complex model of the relationships between awareness, attitudes, knowledge, concerns and intentions. Ecological knowledge leads to global concerns and, therefore, it should be promoted through science education.

Suggested Citation

  • Jari Kukkonen & Sirpa Kärkkäinen & Tuula Keinonen, 2018. "Examining the Relationships between Factors Influencing Environmental Behaviour among University Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:11:p:4294-:d:184104
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. GoWoon Kim & Rahul Teku Vaswani & Wanmo Kang & Miri Nam & Dowon Lee, 2017. "Enhancing Ecoliteracy through Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Proverbs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-16, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Vicente Morales-Baños & Francisco José Borrego-Balsalobre & Arturo Díaz-Suárez & José María López-Gullón, 2023. "Levels of Sustainability Awareness in Spanish University Students of Nautical Activities as Future Managers of Sports and Active Tourism Programmes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-22, February.
    2. José María Marcos-Merino & Isaac Corbacho-Cuello & Míriam Hernández-Barco, 2020. "Analysis of Sustainability Knowingness, Attitudes and Behavior of a Spanish Pre-Service Primary Teachers Sample," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-22, September.
    3. Silin Liu & Lei Luo, 2023. "A Study on the Impact of Ideological and Political Education of Ecological Civilization on College Students’ Willingness to Act Pro-Environment: Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-17, January.
    4. Piyapong Janmaimool & Samattaphong Khajohnmanee, 2019. "Roles of Environmental System Knowledge in Promoting University Students’ Environmental Attitudes and Pro-Environmental Behaviors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-18, August.
    5. Sharma, Nitika & Paço, Arminda & Upadhyay, Deepika, 2023. "Option or necessity: Role of environmental education as transformative change agent," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    6. Jimena González-Ramírez & Heyi Cheng & Sierra Arral, 2021. "Funding Campus Sustainability through a Green Fee—Estimating Students’ Willingness to Pay," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-15, February.
    7. Lorenz Probst, 2022. "Higher Education for Sustainability: A Critical Review of the Empirical Evidence 2013–2020," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-24, March.
    8. Marina Ienna & Amelia Rofe & Monica Gendi & Heather E. Douglas & Michelle Kelly & Matthew W. Hayward & Alex Callen & Kaya Klop-Toker & Robert J. Scanlon & Lachlan G. Howell & Andrea S. Griffin, 2022. "The Relative Role of Knowledge and Empathy in Predicting Pro-Environmental Attitudes and Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-21, April.

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