ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS IN RELATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

Abstract

This qualitative study investigates the relationship between environmental awareness and environmental ethics among secondary school children. Based on semi-structured interviews and two focus groups with 12 students between 13 to 17 years from three secondary schools, it researched students' comprehension about the environment, moral reasoning employed when making decisions concerning the environment, and the influences that mould their attitudes and behaviours.

Thematic analysis identified four major themes…

Cognitive awareness of environmental problems, affective connection with and care for nature, development of environmental ethics-duty, responsibility, and stewardship barriers to ethical action.The findings underline the fact that awareness alone does not guarantee ethical conduct, and that ethical dispositions are strengthened when awareness is combined with value-based education, family modelling, and opportunities for meaningful action. Practical implications for curriculum design and school-based interventions are discussed.