ECO-ANXIETY, ENVIRONMENTAL HOPE AND SUSTAINABLE BEHAVIOUR AMONG STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITIES IN CALABAR METROPOLIS, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA.

 Sam, Ime Edet Ph.D, 08063987888, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Department of Environmental Education,

Faculty of Science Education,

College of Education, University of Calabar.

 Ekemini E. Idem, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Center for Excellence in Environmental Management and Green Energy (CEMAGE), University of Nigeria, Enugu campus. University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

And

 Obo, Kerian Edom

Department of Environmental Education,

Faculty of Science Education,

College of Education, University of Calabar.

Abstract

This study examined eco-anxiety, environmental hope and sustainable behaviour among young adults in universities in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. The study was motivated by increasing environmental challenges and the need to understand the psychological factors that influence student’s responses to environmental problems. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population comprised young adults enrolled in universities in Calabar Metropolis, while a sample of 400 respondents was selected using a multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected using the Eco-Anxiety, Environmental Hope and Sustainable Behaviour Questionnaire (EAESBQ). The instrument was subjected to face and content validation by experts, while its internal consistency was established using Cronbach's Alpha. Data were analysed using mean, standard deviation and multiple regression analysis at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed that eco-anxiety significantly predicted sustainable behaviour among young adults. Environmental hope also significantly predicted sustainable behaviour, with environmental hope making a stronger individual contribution than eco-anxiety. Furthermore, eco-anxiety and environmental hope jointly significantly predicted sustainable behaviour. The study concluded that young adults' sustainable environmental practices are influenced not only by environmental knowledge and awareness but also by their emotional responses to environmental problems. It was recommended that universities should integrate constructive approaches to eco-anxiety into environmental education while strengthening environmental hope through action-oriented learning, environmental clubs, conservation activities and campus sustainability programmes. Such interventions can help transform environmental concern into meaningful and sustained environmental action among young adults.

Keywords: Eco-anxiety, environmental hope, sustainable behaviour, young adults, university students, environmental education, Calabar Metropolis. DOWNLOAD PDF