A Survey of Environmental Awareness, Attitude, and Participation amongst University Students: A Case Study

Environmental awareness implies not only being knowledgeable about the environment, but also being acquainted with sets of values, attitudes and skills for addressing environment related problems. Students, especially of higher institutions/universities are the hope for future betterment of environment, and for attaining environmental sustainability. The study surveyed environmental awareness level, attitudes, and participation among Lovely Professional University students, (LPU, Phagwara). It attempted to find out students level of knowledge and awareness on environment, their attitudes towards the environment as well as their participation level in environmental protection and improvements. The study was primary data base and hence questionnaire method of data collection was employed. A total number of 250 questionnaires were administered, students` responses were scored, and the data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software employing descriptive statistics. The sampling technique used was stratified random sampling in which students were sampled at random around the university so as to ensure an unbiased representation of the total population under study. Results from the study revealed high level of environmental knowledge and positive attitudes towards the environment among the students, but low level participation in environmental protection activities. This implies that, other factors than environmental knowledge and awareness may be the stimulants to induce students` active participation in environmental protection and improvement activities.