Carving out a Niche in the Sustainability Confluence for Environmental Education Centers in Cyprus and Greece

Filippos Eliades, Maria K. Doula, Iliana Papamichael, Ioannis Vardopoulos, Irene Voukkali and Antonis A. Zorpas
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Filippos Eliades: Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus (OUC), Giannou Kranidioti 33, Latsia, Nicosia 2220, Cyprus
Maria K. Doula: Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus (OUC), Giannou Kranidioti 33, Latsia, Nicosia 2220, Cyprus
Iliana Papamichael: Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus (OUC), Giannou Kranidioti 33, Latsia, Nicosia 2220, Cyprus
Ioannis Vardopoulos: Department of Economics and Sustainable Development, School of Environment, Geography and Applied Economics, Harokopio University (HUA), 70 Eleftheriou Venizelou Avenue, 17676 Kallithea, Attica, Greece
Irene Voukkali: Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus (OUC), Giannou Kranidioti 33, Latsia, Nicosia 2220, Cyprus
Antonis A. Zorpas: Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus (OUC), Giannou Kranidioti 33, Latsia, Nicosia 2220, Cyprus

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 14, 1-17

Abstract: Given the environmental issues that today’s societies confront, such as climate change, waste management, ecosystem deterioration, etc., environmental education is becoming increasingly important. Adoption of environmental education as an integral part of the educational system is required for the Environmental Education Center (EEC) to be able to provide knowledge, skills, and values so that society can become active and environmentally responsible through awareness-raising. According to the scholarly published research, EECs can positively affect local communities and create an environmentally friendly culture. In addition, given that EECs can even play a significant part in the development of lifelong learning activities at the education and sustainable development nexus, it is considered critical to establishing future potentials and dynamics. Thus, aiming to analyze EECs’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) within our complex and ever-evolving world, educators, students, and other fellow citizens in Cyprus and Greece participated in a survey in which they were asked to fill in a questionnaire, specifically developed for each group category. The findings of this study provide a deeper understanding of the implications arising as a result of effective environmental education absence, as well as the importance of a holistic approach through EECs. Moreover, it offers the research community a solid framework for future innovation in citizen engagement and training.

Keywords: sustainability; environmental awareness; behavior change; SWOT analysis; qualitative analysis; education for sustainable development; green movement; environmentalism; environmental science; environmental education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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