Measurement and categorization of environmental awareness in university students: the contribution of the University to strengthening it

Abstract

A tool for the measurement and distribution into categories of environmental awareness (EA) in the university is presented, described by the different dimensions that define this concept: cognitive, affective, attitudinal and active. The research takes place at the University of Cordoba (Spain) in 2008-2009 with a sample of 1082 students. By using indicators that describe each dimension of the EA, a measure has been built in order to be able to synthesize different levels of EA around which we can label the students. By studying the relationship of the independent variables involved with the group at these levels, it is possible to know the causes of this distribution. The possibility of having this data is relevant for the subsequent design of environmental education programs and curricular greening. The results show three levels of grouping: higher EA, lower EA and the one not conditioned by the EA. These levels relate significantly to the variables of academic background, gender and age, and not to the variables of the students` progress during their university life (‘course’ or ‘stage’). In conclusion, the University of Córdoba has not yet built effective processes for curricular greening.