Title: Is there a relationship between environmental knowledge and pro-environmental behaviour? The case of a Greek island

Authors: Vasiliki Brinia; Vasiliki Thomaidi; Athanasios Androutsos; Paraskevi Psoni

Addresses: Athens University of Economics and Business, 76, Patision Street, PC 10434, Athens, Greece ' Hellenic Open University, 18, Aristotelous Street, PC 263 35, Patras, Greece ' Athens University of Economics and Business, 76, Patision Street, PC 10434, Athens, Greece ' Athens University of Economics and Business, 76, Patision Street, PC 10434, Athens, Greece

Abstract: The present study assesses environmental knowledge (EK) and pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) levels and investigates whether EK influences eventual PEB. At the same time, the paper examines how the aforementioned variables are influenced by demographics. For this reason, a case-study through quantitative research was conducted, through the use of questionnaires completed by a sample of 253 adults, permanent residents of Lesvos Island in Greece. Findings showed that the level of adults' EK was moderate, while the PEB level ranged from moderate to slightly positive. Apart from gender, all examined demographics seemed to influence EK and PEB levels; whereas PEB was found to be, to a limited extent, positively dependent on EK. The survey constitutes a pilot study which can constitute a valuable model-tool at an international level for future researchers as well as for environmental education practitioners who wish to introduce effective environmental training programs at all levels of formal education.

Keywords: ecological behaviour; environmental knowledge; environmental education; general education; lifelong learning; pro-environmental behaviour; PEB.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTCS.2020.108165

International Journal of Teaching and Case Studies, 2020 Vol.11 No.1, pp.34 - 52

Received: 14 Oct 2019
Accepted: 16 Oct 2019
Published online: 03 Jul 2020 *

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