Sustainability in Youth: Environmental Considerations in Adolescence and Their Relationship to Pro-environmental Behavior

Abstract

Adolescents today face the negative outcomes of climate change, and their proenvironmental behavior is crucial to mitigate these negative outcomes. Yet, we know little about what influences adolescents' pro-environmental behavior. Research shows that people's biospheric values and environmental self-identity, elicit personal norms to act environmentally friendly, which can induce a wide range of pro-environmental actions. Yet there is no evidence that these factors can influence pro-environmental behavior of adolescents, because this has only been studied for adults. Given that in adolescence, values, identities and moral structures undergo intense development, the question is whether these factors can motivate adolescents to act pro-environmentally. To address this question, we have conducted three studies with adolescents in Lithuania (Study 1: N = 256; Study 2: N = 349; Study 3: N = 905). We found support that adolescents' biospheric values and environmental self-identity were associated, via personal norms, with a wide range of pro-environmental behaviors, including recycling, environmentally friendly traveling, purchasing environmentally friendly goods and drinking tap water. Based on theory and the current findings, we suggest directions for policies aimed at promoting pro-environmental behavior of adolescents.

Go Green and Recycle: Analyzing the Usage of Plastic Bags for Shopping in China

“…People who give the first priority to altruistic values are more likely to participate in pro-environmentally activities than those who give their first priority to egoistic values [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. For instance, altruistic values are found to be effective to explain recycling, environmentally friendly traveling, purchasing environmental friendly goods, and drinking tap water [ 24 , 25 ]. Altruistic people are more likely to help others, sacrifice their own interest, and be more cooperative in achieving the goal of the whole society and the environment at large [ 34 ].…”

“…In this regard, this research aims to analyze the determinants of consumers’ usage of old plastic bags for shopping. As an example, people’s altruistic values could exert substantial influence on their behaviors in various aspects, such as recycling [ 24 , 25 ]. As another example, people’s perceived effectiveness of policies may impact their responses by forming a pressure to obey the rules and be consistent with the majority [ 22 , 26 ].…”

Parental Attitudes and the Attitude to Energy Saving among Young People with ASD

“…Studies confirm positive relationships between caring for nature (biospheric values) and environmental activism in the form of a wide range of pro-environmental behaviors, including recycling, environmentally-friendly travel, purchasing environmentally-friendly goods and drinking tap water [34]. Young people accept and support policies promoting energy conservation.…”

Reducing Bottled Water Use among Adolescents: A Factorial Experimental Approach to Testing the Components of the “Aquatic” Program

“…The CADM focuses on specific components that explain the mechanisms of how each specific behavior occurs and allows one to track which factors are most relevant for certain behaviors [6]. Yet besides behavior-specific factors other more general environmental considerations, such as environmental values and self-identity, might play a role too [48][49][50]. They might give an insight into why certain intervention measures were not effective.…”