A Study towards Views of Teacher Candidates about National and Global Environmental Problems

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Research Analysis by Consensus

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Teacher Candidates' Views on National and Global Environmental Problems

Environmental Awareness and Susceptibility Levels

Research indicates that teacher candidates exhibit high levels of awareness and susceptibility towards environmental issues. A study involving 449 candidate teachers from Gaziantep University and Cukurova University found that participants had high levels of "social susceptibility" and "general susceptibility," with "academic susceptibility" being very high. This suggests that teacher candidates are not only aware of environmental problems but also feel a strong sense of responsibility towards addressing these issues.

Attitudes Towards Global Environmental Problems

Teacher candidates recognize the human origin of many global problems, such as climate change, terrorism, war, violence, environmental pollution, hunger, and famine. They express a desire to participate in projects aimed at solving these issues, although their purchasing behavior of environmentally friendly products is relatively low. This indicates a gap between awareness and actionable behavior, which could be addressed through targeted educational programs.

Environmental Knowledge and Attitudes

Teacher candidates generally possess moderate environmental knowledge but exhibit positive attitudes towards the environment. However, their environmental behaviors are often lacking. For instance, 43% of participants in one study found the Internet and television to be effective in raising environmental awareness, yet they identified the depletion of natural resources and urbanization as significant issues. This highlights the need for more practical and behavior-oriented environmental education.

Importance of Environmental Education

Environmental education is seen as a crucial factor in raising awareness and fostering positive attitudes towards environmental issues. Studies suggest that extending environmental education to all levels of formal education can significantly enhance environmental literacy and responsible behavior among future generations . Teacher candidates believe that incorporating environmental topics into the curriculum is essential for developing a sustainable future.

Specific Environmental Concerns and Solutions

Teacher candidates identify air pollution as a major environmental problem and suggest various solutions at individual, professional, social, and administrative levels. These include using public transport, encouraging afforestation, consuming resources economically, and raising awareness through educational activities. Such multi-faceted approaches indicate a comprehensive understanding of the complexity of environmental issues.

Environmental Attitudes and Future Implications

The attitudes of future primary education teachers towards environmental issues are crucial, as they will be responsible for educating the next generation. Research shows that these candidates have high levels of environmental attitudes, particularly towards pollution, biodiversity, natural spaces, and recycling. This positive outlook is essential for fostering a culture of sustainability in future classrooms.

Conclusion

Teacher candidates exhibit a high level of awareness and positive attitudes towards both national and global environmental problems. However, there is a need to bridge the gap between awareness and actionable behavior through enhanced environmental education. By integrating environmental topics into the curriculum and promoting practical solutions, future teachers can play a pivotal role in addressing environmental challenges and fostering a sustainable future.