Mind the Gap: What are the Barriers to Pro-Environmental Behavior among Students?

Abstract

Education is one of the potential efforts in overcoming the current and future environmental crisis. Cultivation of awareness of the preservation of natural resources and environment within the school environment can be done through teaching and learning process that contains environmental education, green school environment, and supported by school facilities. Numerous theoretical frameworks have been developed to explain the gap between the possession of environmental knowledge and environmental awareness, and displaying pro-environmental behavior. This research describes what factors will influence pro-environmental behavior at students. Using Quantitative method and Convenience Sampling at students in Junior High School at Bandung-West Java Indonesia. Internal and External factors were analyzed to discover positive and negative aspect that influenced pro-environmental behavior such as demographic factors, external factors (e.g. school, economic, social and cultural) and internal factors (e.g. motivation, pro-environmental knowledge, awareness, values, attitudes, responsibilities and priorities). Specific recommendations for school are provided, and implication for educators are discussed. Finally suggestion for further research on pro-environmental behavior at students are provided. Environmental education at school are important as the basis of formation at green ethics across generations.