Analysis of the Ecological Attitude and Sustainable Behavior of Students: A Green Campus Model, the Case of the University of Medellín, Colombia

Abstract

Environmental education has an important role in higher education institutions as it leads to understanding the importance of sustainability, thus creating a positive impact on students. This impact extends beyond the classroom, inspiring them to actively engage in environmentally responsible behaviors and become conscientious stewards of our planet. The aim of the research was to analyze the environmental perception and ecological attitude of university students at the University of Medellín, that is, this study consisted of examining whether environmental education programs positively influenced the perception of the green campus and the ecological attitude. A structural model was proposed to empirically contrast this phenomenon at a university accredited as a green campus. The results explored that the universities that carry out environmental programs and that offer educational activities on this topic generate a responsible attitude towards sustainability and ecology in their students. This has short, medium and long-term impacts for the university.