THE ROLE OF ECOLOGICAL BEHAVIORS AND LIFESTYLES IN DEVELOPING SUSTAINABILITY AWARENESS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Sustainability is a concept that focuses on the condition of Earth’s biophysical environment, particularly with respect to the use and depletion of natural resources. This study aimed to find the sustainability awareness among the university students along with the role played by the awareness in attaining ecological behaviors and lifestyles among university students in Punjab, Pakistan. Quantitative research method was used for collection and analysis of data. The population of the study was all the university students in Punjab. A sample of 1000 university students was selected by using multistage random sampling technique. Two research instruments were developed for questionnaire, one for sustainability awareness and one for ecological behaviors and lifestyles. Both scales were based on five-point Likert scales. After developing research instruments, both instruments were validated through pilot testing. Results indicated that there was not any significant gender difference among university students regarding sustainability awareness and ecological behaviors and lifestyles. Significant difference between groups of university students were found regarding sustainability awareness and ecological behaviors and lifestyles. Results also showed that sustainability awareness is a significant predictor of ecological behaviors and lifestyles. will also help to indicate that there is a need to create awareness among the people of whole nation to promote more ecological behaviors because awareness plays an important role to strengthen sustainable development but further research is required to deal with the delimitations of this study