IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i20p9057-d1770029.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

University Students’ Perceptions on Climate Change Awareness and Sustainable Environments Through an Unsupervised Clustering Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Deniz Karaelmas

    (Department of Design, Caycuma Vocational School, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, 67900 Zonguldak, Türkiye)

  • Mükerrem Bahar Başkır

    (Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Bartın University, 74100 Bartin, Türkiye)

  • Kübra Tekdamar

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, Graduate School, Bartın University, 74100 Bartin, Türkiye)

  • Canan Cengiz

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Design, Bartın University, 74100 Bartin, Türkiye)

  • Bülent Cengiz

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Design, Bartın University, 74100 Bartin, Türkiye)

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to determine the knowledge and awareness levels of climate change among preparatory class students at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University in the Western Black Sea Region of Türkiye using an unsupervised clustering approach. Within this scope, a survey was administered to university students (n = 280). Participant scores for the survey sections containing five-point Likert-type questions on climate change awareness were calculated using min–max normalization. The normalized data was then processed using the k-means algorithm, a well-known technique in unsupervised machine learning. This resulted in a classification (clustering) related to climate change awareness. The number of clusters was determined using the Silhouette index. Three clusters identified using k-means and Silhouette index ( S ≈ 0.55 ) revealed the knowledge and application levels of student groups regarding climate change awareness. As a result of clustering, it was determined that Cluster-3 students (n = 134, 47.9%), defined as having a high level of knowledge and application, had a higher impact value in their overall assessments of green space-focused issues related to climate change awareness compared to the overall assessments of students in other clusters. Some notable findings concerning the attitudes of Cluster-3 students highlight climate change awareness-related practices. These include minimizing water consumption to levels necessary for ecosystem water management (mean = 95.7, std. deviation = 10.9) and exercising controlled, sustainable daily energy use to alleviate pressure on green spaces (mean = 94.4, std. deviation = 12.5). This study offers practical insights for policymakers, educators, and institutions, emphasizing the need to enhance climate education and to promote the active involvement of younger generations in shaping sustainable environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Deniz Karaelmas & Mükerrem Bahar Başkır & Kübra Tekdamar & Canan Cengiz & Bülent Cengiz, 2025. "University Students’ Perceptions on Climate Change Awareness and Sustainable Environments Through an Unsupervised Clustering Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-22, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:20:p:9057-:d:1770029
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/20/9057/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/20/9057/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yoon Jung Choi & Minjung Oh & Jihye Kang & Loren Lutzenhiser, 2017. "Plans and Living Practices for the Green Campus of Portland State University," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Shah Md Atiqul Haq & Khandaker Jafor Ahmed, 2020. "Perceptions about climate change among university students in Bangladesh," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 103(3), pages 3683-3713, September.
    3. Gloria Anabel Cornejo & Pablo Lamiño & Bernardo Trejos, 2024. "Climate Change: Relationship between Knowledge and Perception in Students of an Agricultural-Based University in Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-16, June.
    4. Gabriele Prati & Iana Tzankova & Cinzia Albanesi & Elvira Cicognani, 2022. "Longitudinal Predictors of Perceived Climate Change Importance and Worry among Italian Youths: A Machine Learning Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-19, November.
    5. Natalia Korcz & Jacek Koba & Agata Kobyłka & Emilia Janeczko & Joanna Gmitrowicz-Iwan, 2021. "Climate Change and Informal Education in the Opinion of Forest Users in Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-14, July.
    6. Kristin C. Burkholder & Jessica Devereaux & Caroline Grady & Molly Solitro & Susan M. Mooney, 2017. "Longitudinal Study of the Impacts of a Climate Change Curriculum on Undergraduate Student Learning: Initial Results," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-28, May.
    7. repec:plo:pone00:0206266 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Dorota Murzyn & Teresa Mroczek & Marta Czyżewska & Karolina Jezierska, 2025. "Environmental Awareness and Responsibility: A Machine Learning Analysis of Polish University Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-31, September.
    9. Veronika Toth & Miriam Sebova, 2024. "Examining climate change awareness and climate-friendly activities of urban residents: A case study in Kosice," E&M Economics and Management, Technical University of Liberec, Faculty of Economics, vol. 27(1), pages 24-39, March.
    10. N. Arnell & S. Brown & S. Gosling & P. Gottschalk & J. Hinkel & C. Huntingford & B. Lloyd-Hughes & J. Lowe & R. Nicholls & T. Osborn & T. Osborne & G. Rose & P. Smith & T. Wheeler & P. Zelazowski, 2016. "The impacts of climate change across the globe: A multi-sectoral assessment," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 134(3), pages 457-474, February.
    11. Ahmad Samim Pouya & Özge Can Niyaz, 2022. "Modeling Turkish Households’ Climate Change-Related Behaviors: Theory of Planned Behavior Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-17, September.
    12. Alexandros Lingos & Gerasimina-Theodora Zapanti & Nikolaos Klioumis & Panagiotis-Rafail Karaevangelou & Constantina Skanavis, 2025. "From Awareness to Action: How Urban Greening and Climate Change Shape Student Health Perceptions in Higher Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-21, May.
    13. Ana Torres & Paula Carvalho & Jorge Costa & Claudia Silva & Rosa Marina Afonso & Carla Nascimento & Manuel Loureiro, 2023. "Environmental Connection, Awareness, and Behaviors in University Students: An Exploratory Portuguese Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-15, September.
    14. Maria P. Amador-Alarcón & Carlos A. Torres-Gastelú & Agustín Lagunes-Domínguez & Héctor Medina-Cruz & César A. Argüello-Rosales, 2022. "Perceptions of Environmental Protection of University Students: A Look through Digital Competences in Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-12, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Samuel Asumadu Sarkodie & Maruf Yakubu Ahmed & Phebe Asantewaa Owusu, 2022. "Global adaptation readiness and income mitigate sectoral climate change vulnerabilities," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Veronika Winter & Johanna Kranz & Andrea Möller, 2022. "Climate Change Education Challenges from Two Different Perspectives of Change Agents: Perceptions of School Students and Pre-Service Teachers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-29, May.
    3. António Cardoso & Amândio Silva & Manuel Sousa Pereira & Jorge Figueiredo & Isabel Oliveira, 2025. "Sustainable Consumption Intentions Among Portuguese University Students: A Multidimensional Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-25, August.
    4. Amit Kumar & T. Mohanasundari, 2025. "Perceptions of climate change and it’s impacts on tribal livelihoods: an empirical study from central India," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 121(9), pages 10125-10148, May.
    5. Kyoik Choi & Jangwon Suh, 2023. "Fault Detection and Power Loss Assessment for Rooftop Photovoltaics Installed in a University Campus, by Use of UAV-Based Infrared Thermography," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-16, June.
    6. Sanaa Kaddoura & Rafiq Hijazi & Nadia Dahmani & Reem Nassar, 2025. "Stimulating Environmental and Health Protection Through Utilizing Statistical Methods for Climate Resilience and Policy Integration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(3), pages 1-20, February.
    7. Muamer Abuzwidah & Ahmed Elawady & Ayat Gamal Ashour & Abdullah Gokhan Yilmaz & Abdallah Shanableh & Waleed Zeiada, 2024. "Flood Risk Assessment for Sustainable Transportation Planning and Development under Climate Change: A GIS-Based Comparative Analysis of CMIP6 Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-18, July.
    8. Yu-Ling Peng & Yuan Li & Wei-Ying Cheng & Ke Wang, 2024. "Evaluation and Optimization of Sense of Security during the Day and Night in Campus Public Spaces Based on Physical Environment and Psychological Perception," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-26, February.
    9. Alesia Margarita Golemi & Pavlos Alexandros Kapetanakis & Panagiota Dimitropoulou & Effrosyni Karakitsou & Stelios Karozis & Diamando Vlachogiannis & Eleonora Mencarini & Athanasios Sfetsos, 2025. "Integrating Citizen Perspectives into Climate Risk Management and Adaptation Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-28, February.
    10. Muhammad Mazhar Iqbal & Muhammad Shoaib & Hafiz Umar Farid & Jung Lyul Lee, 2018. "Assessment of Water Quality Profile Using Numerical Modeling Approach in Major Climate Classes of Asia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-26, October.
    11. Caine Rolleston & Jackline Nyerere & Luciana Brandli & Rosiana Lagi & Tristan McCowan, 2023. "Aiming Higher? Implications for Higher Education of Students’ Views on Education for Climate Justice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-15, October.
    12. Wanlu Liu & Lulu Liu & Jiangbo Gao, 2020. "Adapting to climate change: gaps and strategies for Central Asia," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 25(8), pages 1439-1459, December.
    13. Emilia Janeczko & Jan Banaś & Małgorzata Woźnicka & Stanisław Zięba & Katarzyna Utnik Banaś & Krzysztof Janeczko & Jitka Fialova, 2023. "Sociocultural Profile as a Predictor of Perceived Importance of Forest Ecosystem Services: A Case Study from Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-14, September.
    14. Xin Ye & Jun Lu & Tao Zhang & Yupeng Wang & Hiroatsu Fukuda, 2021. "Improvements in Energy Saving and Thermal Environment after Retrofitting with Interior Insulation in Intermittently Cooled Residences in Hot-Summer/Cold-Winter Zone of China: A Case Study in Chengdu," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-20, May.
    15. Yeora Chae & Seo Hyung Choi & Yong Jee Kim, 2020. "Climate Change Policy Implications of Sustainable Development Pathways in Korea at Sub-National Scale," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-18, May.
    16. Noor Saleh Alalawi & Osama Omar, 2024. "Towards Greener Campuses: Assessing Pro-Environmental Behaviours in the University of Bahrain Campus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-23, February.
    17. Paula M. Castro & Ana Ares-Pernas & Adriana Dapena, 2020. "Service-Learning Projects in University Degrees Based on Sustainable Development Goals: Proposals and Results," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-23, September.
    18. Salvatore, Dominick & Magazzino, Cosimo & Leogrande, Angelo & Costantiello, Alberto, 2024. "The economic determinants of world disorder events: An empirical analysis," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 46(4), pages 740-756.
    19. Ananya R. Gupta & Satish Jaiswal & Suzanna Purpura & Seth Dizon & Markus Buan & Fatima Dong & Fonna Forman & Jyoti Mishra, 2025. "Effects of Solutions Centered Climate Education on Youth Beliefs and Behaviors: The University of California’s Bending the Curve Course," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-21, August.
    20. Israel‐Javier Juma‐Michilena & Maria‐Eugenia Ruiz‐Molina & Irene Gil‐Saura & Sergio Belda‐Miquel, 2023. "How to increase students' motivation to engage in university initiatives towards environmental sustainability," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(3), pages 1304-1323, July.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:20:p:9057-:d:1770029. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.