[Environmental knowledge and environmental awareness among Generation Z students: An online survey at the University of Ulm].

BACKGROUND

The issues of climate change, environmental pollution and species extinction play an increasingly central role in the public debate. At the same time, however, there is a significant gap between environmental knowledge and sustainable action (so-called value-action gap). The education system, especially at the university level, is an important institution for imparting well-founded knowledge on this topic and, as a consequence, for deriving targeted options for action. The present study surveyed the current environmental knowledge and environmental awareness, including the everyday behavior of Generation Z students of medical study programs in comparison to science-oriented study programs.

METHODS

In October/November 2021, an anonymous and voluntary online survey was conducted at the University of Ulm to evaluate the environmental knowledge and awareness of students in all semesters of the study programs Human Medicine, Dentistry, Molecular Medicine, Biology and Teaching. A total of 317 students fully completed the questionnaire.

RESULTS

The results confirm the current state of studies on the environmental awareness of the German population. The value-action gap is also detectable among students. Students perceive the urgency of environmental protection measures and action on climate change and also link these with emotional feelings, but in terms of behavior personal interests (still) tend to largely take precedence over environmental protection. In addition, according to our findings, the image of stereotypes and prejudices of the various courses of study is also partially confirmed in the surveyed environmental awareness.

CONCLUSION

The significant differences in environmental awareness between the compared degree programs and the gap between knowledge and action call for an individual but consistent implementation of the topics of climate change and environmental protection in the curriculum in all investigated degree courses. With the knowledge and awareness gained in this way, academics as distinguished members of society can convey climate awareness and fulfill the function as a role model.