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Exploring the Relations Between Childhood Experiences in Nature and Young Adults’ Environmental Attitudes and Behaviours

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 February 2017

Catherine Broom
Catherine Broom*
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, British Columba, Canada
*
Address for correspondence: Catherine Broom, PhD, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, 1137 Alumni Avenue, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

This article presents the findings of a research study with young adults who explored the connections between their early childhood experiences in nature and their attitudes and actions towards the environment in adulthood. Drawing on E. Wilson's (1984) work, environmental or ecological consciousness is theorised to connect to ecological identity and relates to an individual's deep reflection on, connection to, and engagement with the natural environment. The study's survey tool invited young adults to select various options that described their experiences in nature as children and their views of, and actions towards, the environment in the present. The findings illustrated connections between childhood experiences in nature and later views of, and actions towards, the environment. The correlations between expressed views about caring for the environment and environmentally friendly actions were surprising, however, as actions did not necessarily align with beliefs. The article concludes with recommendations based on the findings, outlining how positive attitudes and actions towards the environment may be fostered in childhood.

Keywords

childhood nature experiencesecological/environmental education
Type
Feature Articles
Information
Australian Journal of Environmental Education , Volume 33 , Issue 1 , March 2017 , pp. 34 - 47
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2017 

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