Accepted Articles

Abstract: Ever since the scientific community has identified increasing levels of global warming, the necessity for public education and awareness has become apparent. While individual efforts to mitigate climate change may seem fruitless, they are a crucial parameter to measure interest in and compassion for the environment, and they prove influential in global carbon emissions and energy usage. Previous research has supported the notion that one’s sustainable behaviors are correlated with one’s knowledge of ecological concerns. The present study administered environmental awareness surveys, in which high school participants’ knowledge was compared to their behaviors. Additionally, optional interviews provided a deeper insight into the perspectives of the causes, impacts, and implications of climate change. The departing survey furthered an exploration of the impact that education has on individuals’ views of climate change. While a causational relationship was not determined between environmental knowledge and behavior, both qualitative and quantitative data collected support a correlation between the two. Implications for future research include investigating the link between knowledge of sustainable behaviors and one’s motivation to engage in sustainable behaviors, as well as the connection between environmental knowledge and eco-anxiety. Ultimately, this research aids the discussion about strengthening environmental education, including education on sustainability practices.

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