Environmental education and transgenerational information diffusion : a Hong Kong case study

Abstract

Environmental education (EE) has been integrated into curricula worldwide for decades with the purpose of achieving increased pro-environmental attitude, behaviour, and knowledge. Different approaches (education about, in and for the environment) have been employed to achieve these ends and limiting psychological barriers identified to better researchers’ and educators’ understanding of factors affecting pro-environmental behaviour. Hong Kong, as with many others, encourages and attempts to spur pro-environmental behaviour through various government bureaus and NGOs. This study aims to add to the growing pool of knowledge suggesting transgenerational information diffusion from students to caregivers may be a viable way to increase pro-environmental attitude, behaviour and knowledge penetration rates in communities. The study utilized questionnaires to assess any transgenerational information diffusion and behavioural changes among students and caregivers. Results suggest an environmental protection class in Hong Kong may impact students’ pro-environmental behaviour and, in turn, their caregivers pro-environmental behaviour. This may imply transgenerational information diffusion is a viable alternative to traditional EE programmes. Limitations to the study include sample size, cross cultural understanding and norms, and allocated course duration. Further research is needed to fully understand the impacts of transgenerational information exchange and behavioural change between students and caregivers. In future studies, incorporating a means of objective observation is suggested.