Marine litter education boosts children’s understanding and self-reported actions

Hartley, Bonny L.; Thompson, Richard C.; Pahl, Sabine

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.10.049

Cited by 194 publications

(139 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…For example, Hartley et al 35 found that environmental concern, understanding and self-reported actions increased in school children following an educational intervention, using a simple before-after research design. It would be even better to compare the treatment group to a control group without intervention, as potentially other external factors could account for the change over time.…”

Section: Experimental Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The human dimension: how social and behavioural research methods can help address microplastics in the environment

Pahl

Wyles

2017

Anal. Methods

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The present paper illustrates the breadth of research methods in the Social and Behavioural Sciences and how these may be applied to the issue of environmental microplastics. Microplastics are a human-caused problem and we need to understand the human dimension in order to address it. Nine key points are emphasised in this paper and follow from the key observation that humans, through their perceptions, decisions and actions, are pivotal to the issue of primary and secondary microplastics in the environment: 1) Human perception and behaviour can be subject to systematic and rigorous scientific study, using theory-based hypothesis testing, measurement and statistical analysis; 2) Qualitative methods can explore new areas of research and provide novel, in-depth insights; 3) Best practice and recommendations exist for measuring social data; 4) Quantitative cross-sectional approaches can test how important social factors are for key outcomes (e.g., the role of perceived risk, values, social norms for behaviour); 5) Experimental quantitative approaches can compare randomised groups and study cause-effect relations; 6) Certain limitations and challenges are unique to research with people; 7) Communications and interventions (e.g., change campaigns, new regulation, education programmes) should be developed based on scientific insights into human thought and behaviour and then evaluated systematically; 8) Social researchers should work towards developing standardised tools and protocols; and 9) Social research on microplastics and its determinants specifically is in its infancy and a number of important research questions remain to be addressed.

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Section: Experimental Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The human dimension: how social and behavioural research methods can help address microplastics in the environment

Pahl

Wyles

2017

Anal. Methods

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“…Educational activities about marine litter activities enhanced understanding and concern about the issue in UK school children (Hartley et al, 2015b) and thus have an important role to play. Recognising this, MARLISCO designed and launched a video competition in 14 countries (Fig.…”

Section: Children As Agents Of Change In Societymentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing public awareness and promoting co-responsibility for marine litter in Europe: The challenge of MARLISCO

Veiga¹,

Vlachogianni

Pahl

et al. 2016

Marine Pollution Bulletin

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Marine litter is a pervasive and complex societal problem but has no simple solution. Inadequate practices at all levels of production-use-disposal contribute to accumulation of waste in land and sea. Enhanced societal awareness but also co-responsibility across different sectors and improved interactions between stakeholders is necessary. MARLISCO was a European initiative, which developed and implemented activities across 15 countries. It worked towards raising societal awareness and engagement on marine litter, through a combination of approaches: public exhibitions in over 80 locations; a video competition involving 2100 students; a legacy of educational and decision-supporting tools. 12 national participatory events designed to facilitate dialogue on solutions brought together 1500 stakeholders and revealed support for cross-cutting, preventing measures. Evaluation during implementation shows these activities are effective in improving individuals' perceptions about the problem but also commitment in being part of the solution. This paper summarises MARLISCO approach and highlights a selection of outcomes.

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“…This finding concurs with the following studies, Kärkkäinen, Haukipuro, Rummukainen, Keinonen and Simola (2013) learners highlighted littering as a national and global environmental problem. In addition, Hartley, Thompson and Pahl (2015) found that children recognise that marine litter is an important problem that has a negative impact on the environment, coastal industries, and human health. Additionally, learners from an environmentally polluted area are more aware and have more positive attitudes than their contemporaries from a different area (Olufemi, Mji & Mukhola, 2013).…”

Section: Environmental Awarenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nurturing Learners’ Awareness of Littering through Environmental Campaigns: An Action Research Approach

Mapotse

Mashiloane

2017

EURASIA J MATH SCI T

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The availability and accessibility of disposable items has contributed immensely to our littering behaviour as humans. People discard plastic containers, paper wrappers and other items by throwing them onto the ground, thus aggravating the problem of littering. This study aims to assist the relevant stakeholders in integrating environmental awareness activities into the school curriculum, to drastically reduce littering in communities. Underpinned by developmental action theory and applied participatory paradigms, the study purports to assess the success of environmental action research campaigns aimed at combatting littering. Fourteen learners from seven classes served as co-researchers, having been randomly selected as participants in this study. Participants' observations and pictures were used to collect data, before resorting to coding and analysis. The results of the study show an improvement in learners' awareness of littering, allowing the authors to conclude that action research, if employed in environmental education, can raise learners' awareness pertaining to littering. A lack of environmental programmes in schools is also to blame for the fact that children often unwittingly litter or pollute their environment.

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Marine litter education boosts children’s understanding and self-reported actions

Cited by 194 publications

References 47 publications

The human dimension: how social and behavioural research methods can help address microplastics in the environment

The human dimension: how social and behavioural research methods can help address microplastics in the environment

Enhancing public awareness and promoting co-responsibility for marine litter in Europe: The challenge of MARLISCO

Nurturing Learners’ Awareness of Littering through Environmental Campaigns: An Action Research Approach

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