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Environmental Behavior of Secondary Education Students: A Case Study at Central Greece

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  • Stamatios Ntanos

    (Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, School of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, 68200 Orestiada, Greece)

  • Grigorios L. Kyriakopoulos

    (School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Zografou, Greece)

  • Garyfallos Arabatzis

    (Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, School of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, 68200 Orestiada, Greece)

  • Vasilios Palios

    (Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, 12794, 2252 Latsia, Cyprus)

  • Miltiadis Chalikias

    (Department of Tourism Management, School of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, University of West Attica, 12244 Aigaleo, Greece)

Abstract

During the last three decades, human behavior has been becoming energy alarming towards environmental sustainability. One of the most influential initiatives towards environmental protection and increased environmental consciousness is the solidification of primary and secondary environmental education. The purpose of this paper is to investigate different environmental profiles amongst secondary education students, in light of a multi-parametric analysis that involved the contributive role of school and family towards environmental awareness and participation. By reviewing relevant studies, the benefits offered by environmental education are presented. Accordingly, a questionnaire survey was deployed using a sample of 270 secondary education students, from schools situated in the prefecture of Larissa, central Greece. The statistical methods included factor analysis and cluster analysis. Particularly, four groups of different environmental characteristics are identified and interviewed. Results suggest that most students are environmental affectionate, although there is a need for more solidified environmental education and motivation from out-of-school societal opportunities, such as in the contexts of family and public socialization. The deployed research method and analysis can be proven supportive in adopting and scheduling school environmental programs after an initial identification of the various environmental attitudes among the student population.

Suggested Citation

  • Stamatios Ntanos & Grigorios L. Kyriakopoulos & Garyfallos Arabatzis & Vasilios Palios & Miltiadis Chalikias, 2018. "Environmental Behavior of Secondary Education Students: A Case Study at Central Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:5:p:1663-:d:148203
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