Pro-environmental Behaviour: an Examination of Environmental Citizenship Among Junior and Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study sought to assess the practice of environmental citizenship behaviour among Junior and Senior High School students in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Environmental citizenship is a concept that suggests that every citizen is an integral part of a larger ecosystem and that humanity’s collective future depends on acting responsibly and positively toward our environment. It is a sense of responsibility that leads to actions that promote environmental conservation and sustainability. The study employed the mixed method approach. Quantitative data was collected from 292 Senior High School students, while qualitative data was collected from selected Junior High School students and relevant stakeholders within the metropolis. The study found out that the practice of Environmental Citizenship behaviour was minimal among respondents. They were, however, predisposed in terms of their values, beliefs, norms and knowledge which are prerequisites for exhibiting environmental citizenship behaviours. Limited platforms such as environmental clubs in schools and the socio-cultural perception of young people among others, posed as challenges to young people taking environmental actions and hence engaging in environmental activism. It recommended that young people’s knowledge and awareness on environmental engagements should be boosted through environmental literacy. Environmental clubs in schools should be given a boost in order to help nurture affinity for nature as well as promote the platform for public sphere environmental actions; thereby promoting environmental citizenship behaviour among young people in schools and ensure environmentally sustainable behaviours in the Cape Coast Metropolis.