Understanding Students’ Perspectives on Environmental Protection: Insights from an Empirical Study

National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Department of Psychology, pedagogics, and sociology, 1700 Sofia, Studentski grad, 21 Acad. Stefan Mladenov Str., Bulgaria

^* Corresponding author: inavladova@nsa.bg

Abstract

Environmental protection is an essential factor for the sustainable development of humanity. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to promote attitudes and behaviors that help to conserve natural resources and reduce the harmful impact of human activities on the environment. Such attitudes and behaviors can be achieved through education, awareness, and changing people’s environmental attitudes. The present article will discuss some key attitudes and behaviors that help protect the environment – recycling waste, using green energy, reducing air and water pollution, supporting sustainable agriculture, etc. The study involved 393 undergraduate students, including 198 women and 195 men, from National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia. Students completed an online survey that measured their environmental attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors, as well as their perceptions of the effectiveness of environmental education. Environmental attitudes and behaviors can be applied in different areas of life, such as at home, work, and public places. People must realize the importance of these actions and carry them out regularly to contribute to the conservation of nature and the world’s sustainable development.