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ADULTS’ PERSPECTIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE ISLAND OF RHODES

Year 2021, Volume: 7 Issue: 21, 542 - 549, 31.12.2021
https://doi.org/10.18769/ijasos.1016723

Abstract

The general objective of advanced countries is sustainable development, as a current and future issue, while the indicators that mark the degree of success in this direction depend on a wide range of social, economic, and political processes and decisions. For these reasons, a field study was conducted concerning adultsin Rhodes’sarea duringNovember and December 2020. It was implemented with the use of a structured closed-ended questionnaire and sent to 460 adults by e-mail. The sample of the study consists of 159 participants, who sufficiently completed the data investigations. The questions were about demographicswith the selection of distinct answers, and Likert-scale answers. Using the statistical tool SPSS 23, data from the study were collected which are presented as percentage and on average answers. The findings suggest to a great extent the human impact onthe current social and environmental issues. Concurrently, the high degree of their significance in the modern world and their negative impactin the ecosphere are accurately indicated in the study; issues that arehighlighted in the international bibliography. At the same time, the study shows that the participants have an extensive knowledge of the current issues, and it highlights the Mass Media’s crucial role as source of information in encouraging knowledge about environmental concerns. Financial incentives, the implementation of training courses for adults, the essential requirements to ensure products meet high health, safety and environmental standards are additional measures taken to lessen the human impact on the physical environment. Taking individual responsibility, limiting the production, consumption and waste management are key elements in redefining the citizens’ environmentally responsible behavior and work towards strengthening the conditions for the implementation of key processes for sustainable development.

References

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  • Camill, P. (2010). Global Change. Nature Education Knowledge, 3(10), 49.
  • Castro Pereira, J. (2015). Environmental issues and international relations, a new global (dis)order – the role of International Relations in promoting a concerted international system. Revista Brasileira de Política Internacional, 58 (1): 191-209.
  • CCSU.EDU. (n.d.). International environmental problems and global search for solutions. Retrieved from: https://web.ccsu.edu/faculty/kyem/GEOG433/International_Problems/INTERNATIONAL_ENVIRONMENTAL_PROBLEMS.htm [Online Resource]
  • CEB. (2015). Addressing Environmental Challenges and their Social Implications in Europe. Retrieved from https://coebank.org/media/documents/ECS_Study_Environmental_challenges_FINAL_low_resolution.pdf [Online Resource]
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  • European Commission. (2021). Pathway to a Healthy Planet for All EU Action Plan: 'Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil', Brussels, COM 400 final. Retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/pdf/zero-pollution-action-plan/communication_en.pdf
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  • Janmaimool, P & Chudech, S. (2020). Effect of Domestic and Global Environmental Events on Environmental Concern and Environmental Responsibility among University Students. Sustainability, 12(4), 1-20.
  • Jianping L., Minrong L., Jinnan W., Jianjian L., Hongwen S. & Maoxing H. (2014). Global Environmental Issues and Human Wellbeing. In: Jianping L., Minrong L., Jinnan W., Jianjian L., Hongwen S., Maoxing H. (eds) Report on Global Environmental Competitiveness. Current Chinese Economic Report Series. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54678-5_1
  • Kaypak, Ş. (2012). Sustainability and Ecopolitics in the Solution of Global Environmental Problems. 2nd International Congress on Urban and Environmental Issues and Policies, 04-06 May 2012, Papers and Proceedıngs of Congress, p.375-392.
  • McMichael, A. J., Friel, S., Nyong, A. & Corvalan, C. (2008). Global environmental change and health: impacts, inequalities, and the health sector. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 336(7637), 191–194. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39392.473727.AD
  • Meenakshi, K. S. (2021). Environmental Pollution: Causes and Prevention. Quest Journals, Journal of Research in Environmental and Earth Science, 7(6), 80-85.
  • Michelsen, G. & Fischer, D. (2017). Sustainability and education. In (Eds) M.V. Hauff & C. Kuhnke, Sustainable Development Policy: A European Perspective. Routledge: London, UK.
  • Nash, N., Capstick, S., Whitmarsh, L., Chaudhary, I. & Manandhar, R. (2019). Perceptions of Local Environmental Issues and the Relevance of Climate Change in Nepal's Terai: Perspectives From Two Communities. Frontiers in Sociology, 4, 60. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2019.00060
  • Nwankwoala, H. N. L. (2015). Causes of Climate and Environmental Changes: The need for Environmental-Friendly Education Policy in Nigeria. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(30), 224-234. ISSN 2222-1735
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  • OECD/EU. (2020). Cities in the World: A new perspective on urbanization. Accessed 20.07.2020 from: https://www.oecd.org/regional/regional-statistics/
  • OGL. (2018). Our Waste, our Resources: A Strategy for England. Online available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/resources-and-waste-strategy-for-england#history
  • Ors, F. (2012). Environmental education and the role of media in environmental education in Turkey. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 46, 1339 – 1342.
  • Oswald Spring, Ú. (2016). Perspectives of Global Environmental Change in the Anthropocene. E-International Relations, ISSN 2053-8626.
  • Otto, S. & Pensini, P. (2017). Nature-based environmental education of children: Environmental knowledge and connectedness to nature, together, are related to ecological behavior. Global Environmental Change,. 47, 88–94.
  • Otto, S., Neaman, A., Richards, B. & Marió, A. (2016). Explaining the ambiguous relations between income, environmental knowledge, and environmentally significant behavior. Society & Natural Resources, 29(5), 628–632. DOI: 10.1080/08941920.2015.1037410
  • Ritchie, H. & Roser, M. (2018). "Urbanization". Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: https://ourworldindata.org/urbanization [Online Resource]
  • Seema, S. (2012). Environmental concerns and role of media in environment management: a few possibilities. Management Dynamics, 12(2), 71-80.
  • Shirk, J. L., Ballard, H. L., Wilderman, C. C., Phillips, T., Wiggins, A., Jordan, R., McCallie, E., Minarchek, M., Lewenstein, B. V., Krasny, M. E. &. Bonney, R. (2012). Public participation in scientific research: A framework for deliberate design. Ecology and Society, 17(2), 29. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-04705-170229.
  • Shrinkhal, R. (2019). Economics, Technology, and Environmental Protection: A Critical Analysis of Phytomanagement. In (eds) V. C. Pandey & K Bauddh, Phytomanagement of Polluted Sites, Chapter 22. p. 569-580, Elsevier. ISBN 9780128139127
  • Smith, S. E (2013). Environmental Degradation. Article from wiseGEEK. Online available at: www.wisegeek.com/what-is-environmental-degradation.htm
  • Summers, J. K., Smith , L. M., Case , J. L. & Linthurst, R. A. (2012). A Review of the Elements of Human Well-Being with an Emphasis on the Contribution of Ecosystem Services. Ambio, 41(4): 327–340. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-012-0256-7
  • Taherdoost. H. (2016). How to Design and Create an Effective Survey/Questionnaire; A Step by Step Guide. International Journal of Academic Research in Management, 5(4), 37-41, ISSN: 2296-1747
  • UNEP. (2015). Sustainable Consumption and Production. A Handbook for Policymakers. United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya. ISBN: 978-92-807-3364-8
  • UNESCO. (2017). Education for Sustainable Development Goals. Learning Objectives. ISBN 978-92-3-100209-0. Retrieved from: https://www.unesco.de/sites/default/files/2018-08/unesco_education_for_sustainable_development_goals.pdf
  • van Noordwijk T., Bishop, I., Staunton-Lamb, S., Oldfield, A., Loiselle, S., Geoghegan, H., & Ceccaroni, L. (2021). Creating Positive Environmental Impact Through Citizen Science. In: Vohland K. et al. (eds) The Science of Citizen Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58278-4_19
  • Van Poeck, K. (2015). Education as a response to sustainability issues. Practices of environmental education in the context of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Environmental Education Research. 21(4), 649. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2014.958651
  • Xu, L., Mathiyazhagan, K., Govindan K., Haq, A. N., Ramachandran, N V. & Ashokkumard, A. (2013). Multiple comparative studies of Green Supply Chain Management: Pressures. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 78, 26-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2013.05.005
Year 2021, Volume: 7 Issue: 21, 542 - 549, 31.12.2021
https://doi.org/10.18769/ijasos.1016723

Abstract

References

  • Arora, N. (2019). Earth: 50 years challenge. Environmental Sustainability, 2, 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42398-019-00053-5
  • Bansard, J. & Schröder, M. (2021). The Sustainable Use of Natural Resources: The Governance Challenge. BRIEF #16, International Institute for Sustainable Development. Accessed 20.07.2020 from: https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-04/still-one-earth-natural-resources.pdf
  • Bierbaum, R., Cowie, A., Barra, R., Ratner, B., Sims, R., Stocking, M., Durón, G., Leonard, S. & Whaley, C. (2018). Integration: to solve complex environmental problems. Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel to the Global Environment Facility. Washington, DC. 10.13140/RG.2.2.34698.52162
  • Camill, P. (2010). Global Change. Nature Education Knowledge, 3(10), 49.
  • Castro Pereira, J. (2015). Environmental issues and international relations, a new global (dis)order – the role of International Relations in promoting a concerted international system. Revista Brasileira de Política Internacional, 58 (1): 191-209.
  • CCSU.EDU. (n.d.). International environmental problems and global search for solutions. Retrieved from: https://web.ccsu.edu/faculty/kyem/GEOG433/International_Problems/INTERNATIONAL_ENVIRONMENTAL_PROBLEMS.htm [Online Resource]
  • CEB. (2015). Addressing Environmental Challenges and their Social Implications in Europe. Retrieved from https://coebank.org/media/documents/ECS_Study_Environmental_challenges_FINAL_low_resolution.pdf [Online Resource]
  • Dunlap, R. E. & Jorgenson, A. K. (2012). Environmental Problems. In (Ed.) G. Ritzer, The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Globalization. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470670590.wbeog174
  • European Commission. (2021). Pathway to a Healthy Planet for All EU Action Plan: 'Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil', Brussels, COM 400 final. Retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/pdf/zero-pollution-action-plan/communication_en.pdf
  • Jacobi, P. R., de Toledo, R. F. & Grandisoli, E. (2016). Education, sustainability and social learning. Brazilian Journal of Science and Technology, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40552-016-0019-2
  • Janmaimool, P & Chudech, S. (2020). Effect of Domestic and Global Environmental Events on Environmental Concern and Environmental Responsibility among University Students. Sustainability, 12(4), 1-20.
  • Jianping L., Minrong L., Jinnan W., Jianjian L., Hongwen S. & Maoxing H. (2014). Global Environmental Issues and Human Wellbeing. In: Jianping L., Minrong L., Jinnan W., Jianjian L., Hongwen S., Maoxing H. (eds) Report on Global Environmental Competitiveness. Current Chinese Economic Report Series. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54678-5_1
  • Kaypak, Ş. (2012). Sustainability and Ecopolitics in the Solution of Global Environmental Problems. 2nd International Congress on Urban and Environmental Issues and Policies, 04-06 May 2012, Papers and Proceedıngs of Congress, p.375-392.
  • McMichael, A. J., Friel, S., Nyong, A. & Corvalan, C. (2008). Global environmental change and health: impacts, inequalities, and the health sector. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 336(7637), 191–194. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39392.473727.AD
  • Meenakshi, K. S. (2021). Environmental Pollution: Causes and Prevention. Quest Journals, Journal of Research in Environmental and Earth Science, 7(6), 80-85.
  • Michelsen, G. & Fischer, D. (2017). Sustainability and education. In (Eds) M.V. Hauff & C. Kuhnke, Sustainable Development Policy: A European Perspective. Routledge: London, UK.
  • Nash, N., Capstick, S., Whitmarsh, L., Chaudhary, I. & Manandhar, R. (2019). Perceptions of Local Environmental Issues and the Relevance of Climate Change in Nepal's Terai: Perspectives From Two Communities. Frontiers in Sociology, 4, 60. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2019.00060
  • Nwankwoala, H. N. L. (2015). Causes of Climate and Environmental Changes: The need for Environmental-Friendly Education Policy in Nigeria. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(30), 224-234. ISSN 2222-1735
  • OECD. (2011). The Economic Significance of Natural Resources: Key points for reformers in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. Paris: OECD.
  • OECD/EU. (2020). Cities in the World: A new perspective on urbanization. Accessed 20.07.2020 from: https://www.oecd.org/regional/regional-statistics/
  • OGL. (2018). Our Waste, our Resources: A Strategy for England. Online available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/resources-and-waste-strategy-for-england#history
  • Ors, F. (2012). Environmental education and the role of media in environmental education in Turkey. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 46, 1339 – 1342.
  • Oswald Spring, Ú. (2016). Perspectives of Global Environmental Change in the Anthropocene. E-International Relations, ISSN 2053-8626.
  • Otto, S. & Pensini, P. (2017). Nature-based environmental education of children: Environmental knowledge and connectedness to nature, together, are related to ecological behavior. Global Environmental Change,. 47, 88–94.
  • Otto, S., Neaman, A., Richards, B. & Marió, A. (2016). Explaining the ambiguous relations between income, environmental knowledge, and environmentally significant behavior. Society & Natural Resources, 29(5), 628–632. DOI: 10.1080/08941920.2015.1037410
  • Ritchie, H. & Roser, M. (2018). "Urbanization". Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: https://ourworldindata.org/urbanization [Online Resource]
  • Seema, S. (2012). Environmental concerns and role of media in environment management: a few possibilities. Management Dynamics, 12(2), 71-80.
  • Shirk, J. L., Ballard, H. L., Wilderman, C. C., Phillips, T., Wiggins, A., Jordan, R., McCallie, E., Minarchek, M., Lewenstein, B. V., Krasny, M. E. &. Bonney, R. (2012). Public participation in scientific research: A framework for deliberate design. Ecology and Society, 17(2), 29. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-04705-170229.
  • Shrinkhal, R. (2019). Economics, Technology, and Environmental Protection: A Critical Analysis of Phytomanagement. In (eds) V. C. Pandey & K Bauddh, Phytomanagement of Polluted Sites, Chapter 22. p. 569-580, Elsevier. ISBN 9780128139127
  • Smith, S. E (2013). Environmental Degradation. Article from wiseGEEK. Online available at: www.wisegeek.com/what-is-environmental-degradation.htm
  • Summers, J. K., Smith , L. M., Case , J. L. & Linthurst, R. A. (2012). A Review of the Elements of Human Well-Being with an Emphasis on the Contribution of Ecosystem Services. Ambio, 41(4): 327–340. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-012-0256-7
  • Taherdoost. H. (2016). How to Design and Create an Effective Survey/Questionnaire; A Step by Step Guide. International Journal of Academic Research in Management, 5(4), 37-41, ISSN: 2296-1747
  • UNEP. (2015). Sustainable Consumption and Production. A Handbook for Policymakers. United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya. ISBN: 978-92-807-3364-8
  • UNESCO. (2017). Education for Sustainable Development Goals. Learning Objectives. ISBN 978-92-3-100209-0. Retrieved from: https://www.unesco.de/sites/default/files/2018-08/unesco_education_for_sustainable_development_goals.pdf
  • van Noordwijk T., Bishop, I., Staunton-Lamb, S., Oldfield, A., Loiselle, S., Geoghegan, H., & Ceccaroni, L. (2021). Creating Positive Environmental Impact Through Citizen Science. In: Vohland K. et al. (eds) The Science of Citizen Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58278-4_19
  • Van Poeck, K. (2015). Education as a response to sustainability issues. Practices of environmental education in the context of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Environmental Education Research. 21(4), 649. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2014.958651
  • Xu, L., Mathiyazhagan, K., Govindan K., Haq, A. N., Ramachandran, N V. & Ashokkumard, A. (2013). Multiple comparative studies of Green Supply Chain Management: Pressures. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 78, 26-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2013.05.005
There are 37 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Dımıtrıos Poımenıdıs 0000-0002-9003-425X

Georgıa Ioannidou

Sofia Poımenıdou

Publication Date December 31, 2021
Submission Date October 31, 2021
Published in Issue Year 2021Volume: 7 Issue: 21

Cite

EndNote Poımenıdıs D, Ioannidou G, Poımenıdou S (December 1, 2021) ADULTS’ PERSPECTIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE ISLAND OF RHODES. IJASOS- International E-journal of Advances in Social Sciences 7 21 542–549.

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