A Study on Pro- Environmental Behaviour of High School Students

Abstract

The environment is one of the most important components for mankind. Interactions between humans and environment that occur continuously, will affect human behaviour on the environment. Human attitudes and behaviour will determine the strength of an environment. The way humans treat their environment will have an impact on the quality of human life itself. The positive environmental behaviours, individuals engage in, as part of their personal lives are volitional actions rooted in their own initiative. Although societal structures, such as the presence of a public transportation system or recycling programme in one’s city, may support or hinder pro-environmental behaviours. Acting in ways that benefit the environment is ultimately a personal choice. Pro-environmental behaviour is an individual effort to reduce the negative impact occurs due to destruction of nature by improving and preserving the environment. It becomes very important, especially among the students. Because students are considered as the nation builder. So, it is very important to provide environmental education to the students from primary to university level. It helps the students to become more aware towards their environment. Environmental protection and recovery are the main challenges facing our society today. Therefore, it is important to know and understand pro-environmental behaviour in society, and the factors influence it. The objective of the study is to know the pro-environmental behaviour of the students and to compare the pro-environmental behaviour of the students with respect to gender. The study also tried to see if there exists any relationship between economic status and pro- environmental behaviour of the students. Results of the present study have shown that gender and economic conditions were not significant predictors of pro-environmental behaviour.