The Importance of Awareness in Sustainability: A Study on University Students

Abstract

Aim: Sustainability is a concept that determines the responsibilities of both individuals and societies for the future as one of the most important issues of our day. Building a society based on sustainable development principles includes not only environmental but also social and economic sustainability. In this study, the awareness levels of university students on this subject were examined, considering the importance of sustainability awareness. The study aimed to investigate the sustainability awareness of university students. Method: The research was conducted on university students, as they are the entrepreneurs, employees, and the generation that will guide society and the future economy. Convenience sampling was used as the sampling method, and the study was conducted at a state university. Data were collected from a total of 470 people through face-to-face surveys. The research addressed sustainability awareness in three dimensions: knowledge, environmental awareness, and behavior. Data analysis was conducted using the SPSS 27 program. Results: As a result, it was observed that the university students who participated in the research had sustainability awareness, and that they showed a lower tendency, especially in the behavior dimension, compared to other dimensions. Conclusion: The fact that the participants had a high level of knowledge about the environmental impacts of their actions does not mean that they will put this into practice to the same extent. There is no full harmony between cognition and behavior. Furthermore, sustainability awareness varies according to demographic characteristics.

Keywords

• Sustainability
• Sustainability Awareness
• Knowledge
• Behavior
• Environmental Awareness
• University Students

Sürdürülebilirlikte Farkındalığın Önemi: Üniversite Öğrencileri Üzerine Bir İnceleme

Abstract

Amaç: Sürdürülebilirlik, günümüzün en önemli konularından biri olarak hem bireylerin hem de toplumların geleceğe dair sorumluluklarını belirleyen bir kavramdır. Sürdürülebilir kalkınma ilkelerine dayalı bir toplum inşa etmek, sadece çevresel değil, aynı zamanda sosyal ve ekonomik sürdürülebilirliği de içerir. Bu çalışmada, sürdürülebilirlik farkındalığının önemi göz önünde bulundurularak, üniversite öğrencilerinin bu konudaki bilinç düzeyleri incelenmiştir. Çalışmanın amacı, üniversite öğrencilerinin sürdürülebilirlik farkındalığını incelemektir. Yöntem: Araştırma, geleceğin girişimcileri, çalışanları ve hem topluma hem de ekonomiye yön verecek nesil olmaları nedeniyle üniversite öğrencileri üzerinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Örneklem yöntemi olarak kolayda örnekleme kullanılmış ve çalışma, bir devlet üniversitesinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Toplam 470 kişiden yüz yüze anketlerle veri toplanmıştır. Araştırmada, sürdürülebilirlik farkındalığı bilgi, çevresel farkındalık ve davranış olmak üzere üç boyutta ele alınmıştır. Verilerin analizi, SPSS27 programı kullanılarak yapılmıştır. Bulgular: Araştırmaya katılan üniversite öğrencilerinin sürdürülebilirlik farkındalığına sahip oldukları, özellikle davranış boyutunda diğer boyutlara göre daha düşük bir eğilim gösterdikleri görülmüştür. Demografik özelliklere göre de sürdürülebilirlik farkındalığı farklılık göstermektedir. Sonuç: Katılımcıların eylemlerinin çevresel etkilerine yönelik bilgi düzeylerinin yüksek olması, aynı derecede bunu davranışa dökecekleri anlamını taşımamaktadır. Biliş ve davranış arasında tam bir uyum söz konusu olmamaktadır. Ayrıca demografik özelliklere göre de sürdürülebilirlik farkındalığı farklılık göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Sürdürebilirlik
• Sürdürülebilirlik Farkındalığı
• Bilgi
• Davranış
• Çevresel Farkındalık
• Üniversite Öğrencileri

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