Environmental education (EE) and outdoor instruction are essential to understanding and addressing different environmental issues in school communities. This study investigated Mississippi teachers' perceptions on environmental education and outdoor instruction during 2020-2021. A state-wide survey and follow-up interview were conducted to examine their thoughts about environmental education and outdoor instruction and COVID-19 limitations in their classrooms and how that may affect their perceptions. Analysis was conducted using SPSS contingency and frequency tables, Chi-square Test of Independence, and content analysis of qualitative data. The results showed that Mississippi teacher participants believe that environmental education in Mississippi K-12 schools is very important and that outdoor instruction is a good way to learn environmental education. Many participants are interested in teaching classes outdoors but stated that they do not take their classes outside often. Results also documented that participants are concerned about the different limitations they face when teaching classes outdoors.

Consumers are increasingly becoming more sustainable and strive towards making sustainable actions and purchases. As a response, companies attempt to follow this trend by offering sustainable and eco-friendly products and services, however, this has increased the tendency of greenwashing techniques. Blockchain technology (BCT), a system that can provide transparent, traceable,and trustworthy information, can thus be the solution for this dilemma in order to decrease the risk of greenwashing. Hence, consumers can feel a lack of trust towards current products that are considered to be eco-friendly, while these actually could be non-eco-friendly, and consumers’ willingness to pay a higher price can be diminished - which is a problem that BCT potentially addresses. The purpose of this present study is to understand and assess the role of blockchain technology (BCT) towards Swedish consumers’ intention of purchasing clothing products that are considered to be eco-friendly.  In order to answer this purpose, Swedish consumers’ attitudes towards BCT are measured empirically in terms of a quantitative study, where a questionnaire was conducted and received a total of 71 respondents. The results highlight that, in the context of clothing product purchases, Swedish consumers currently are not purchasing eco-friendly clothing products and they do not strive to purchase these to a high extent. However, if BCT would be available before the consumer purchases the clothing product, results emphasize that consumers would be more prone to purchase eco-friendly products. Additionally, results reveal that consumers would feel a high level of trust towards clothing companies and their products if BCT would be available prior to purchase. Ultimately, it was uncovered that consumers are willing to pay a higher price for eco-friendly clothing products if BCT is available. This study thus provides insights about the advantages of utilizing BCT within the business, which is applicable to particularly clothing companies but also other companies in general.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) of exogenous origin refer to compounds that disrupt the regular functioning of the endocrine system responsible for maintaining hormonal balance in the body. These disruptors are prevalent in our surroundings and are present in various consumer products, including cosmetics, plastics, and pesticides. The means of action vary depending on the specific chemical and target hormone receptor. EDCs can mimic, obstruct, alter hormone production, transport, and metabolize, leading to a range of health risks such as metabolic disorders, immune system dysfunction, and endocrine-related cancers, as well as reproductive abnormalities. Interference with the production, transport, and function of hormones responsible for the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, including estrogen, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone, leads to reproductive problems. EDCs also cause permanent alterations in the development of the female reproductive system during fetal and early childhood stages. Some of the most widely known EDCs include bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalates, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which have been found in human tissue and fluids, such as urine and breast milk. Researchers continue to discover and analyze EDC prevalence and the effects on human health. While efforts have been made to reduce exposure to these compounds, they remain prevalent in the environment. There are lifestyle interventions that can help with the prevention and exposure to EDCs. Such interventions include healthier eating habits, avoiding the use of plastic containers containing EDCs, choosing safer personal care products, filtering drinking water, reducing exposure to air pollution, and supporting policies and regulations that promote the use of safer chemicals.

The role played by Schoemansdal Environmental Education Centre (SEEC) in the development of environmental awareness to its neighbouring schools has been established, described and explored. Schoemansdal's role was evaluated in relation to what other environmental education centers around the world are doing as strategies of developing environmental awareness to their neighbouring schools and communities. Schoemansdal Environmental Education Centre acted as a case study and its findings are supplemented by valuable data from seventeen schools, which were selected in the Zoutpansberg West Circuit by the researcher. The sole aim was to enhance information gathered at Schoemansdal EEC with regard to its role of making the neighbouring schools aware of environmental issues. Although the research question has been adequately explored, the study does not claim to be exhaustive and without limitations. The recommendations made by the study, based on the findings will be of value to environmental officers, environmental educationists, teachers and education policy makers involved with EE implementation in formal education. / Educational Studies / M. Ed.(Environmental Education)

As a future preschool teacher I see myself as a part of creating the future of society. I think the environment and sustainable development is a part that feels important that children have with them in life. The purpose of the study was to examine whether and how preschool teachers work with environmental and sustainable development activities in various preschools and how children are involved in this work. The methodology for the study has been semi-structured interviews with active preschool teachers in three different preschools. The results of the survey show that preschools are working more or less actively with the environment and sustainable development in the business and that the children are involved in most of the work. However, it appears that other areas usually are given priority instead of working with environment and sustainable development, and that the work needs to be made more tangible for the children. All teachers in the study stated that the work with environment and sustainable development can be further expanded and must be clearly linked to the preschool curriculum for maintaining quest objectives. / Som blivande förskollärare ser jag mig själv som en del i att skapa framtidens samhällsmedborgare, då anser jag att miljö och hållbar utveckling är en del som känns viktig att barnen har med sig i livet. Syftet med studien var att undersöka om och i så fall på vilket sätt pedagoger arbetar med miljö och hållbar utveckling i verksamheten på olika förskolor samt hur delaktiga barnen är i arbetet. Metodvalet för undersökningen har varit semistrukturerade intervjuer med verksamma förskollärare på tre olika förskolor. Resultatet av undersökningen visar att förskolor arbetar mer eller mindre aktivt med miljö och hållbar utveckling i verksamheten samt att barnen är delaktiga i det mesta utav arbetet. Dock framkommer det att andra områden oftast prioriteras framför arbetet med miljö och hållbar utveckling samt att arbetet behöver göras mer konkret för barnen. Samtliga pedagoger i studien uppgav att arbetet med miljö och hållbar utveckling kan utökas ytterligare och måste utgöra en tydligare koppling till förskolans läroplan för att upprätthålla strävansmålen.

The world’s consumption is increasing at an accelerating rate and it´s produced and consumed more goods and services than ever before. A large part of people's consumption consists of clothing that is bought and discarded increasingly leading to a number of environmental problems such as global warming, pollution, loss of biodiversity and the depletion of natural assets. One way to save the earth's resources is to buy used clothing, so called second hand, instead of new ones. The store chain “The Ants” (in Swedish “Myrorna”) has specializing in second-hand goods and sells, among other things, clothes. This study examined consumers' motive for shopping second-hand clothing on The Ants and examined whether this is related to consumers' environmental awareness and their choice to buy second hand clothes on The Ants. The shop staffs experience of the customer's environmental awareness was also examined. The methods that were chosen were surveys that The Ants customers filled out and interviews with store employees. The results showed that consumer´s motive to buy second-hand clothing on The Ants was mainly due to the cheap price and then because of their environmental awareness, customers were relatively environmentally aware and knew that the clothing industry contribute to environmental problems. The consumers felt that they received too little information about the problems and they would like to know more. The result also showed that consumers don´t act according to this awareness as very few of them asked questions to the staff about their clothing production or work with sustainable consumption and the environment. The Ants shop staff experienced the same thing since they rarely or never received any questions from customers about clothing and its environmental problems. Customers also bought more new clothes than second-hand clothing. / Konsumtionen i världen ökar i en allt snabbare takt och det produceras och konsumeras mer varor och tjänster än någonsin tidigare. En stor del av människors konsumtion består av kläder som köps och slängs i större utsträckning vilket leder till ett flertal miljöproblem som global uppvärmning, föroreningar, förlorad biologisk mångfald och förbrukning av naturtillgångar. Ett sätt att spara på jordens resurser är genom att köpa begagnade kläder, så kallat second hand, istället för nyproducerade. Butikskedjan Myrorna har specialiserat sig på second hand varor och säljer bland annat kläder. Denna studie undersökte konsumenters motiv för att handla second hand kläder på Myrorna samt undersökte om detta har ett samband med konsumenters miljömedvetenhet och deras val att köpa second hand kläder på Myrorna. Även butikspersonalens upplevelse av kundernas miljömedvetenhet undersöktes. Metoderna som valdes var enkäter som Myrornas kunder fyllde i och intervjuer med butikspersonal. Resultatet visade att konsumenternas motiv för att handla second hand kläder på Myrorna berodde främst på det billiga priset och sedan på grund av deras miljömedvetenhet, kunderna var relativt miljömedvetna och funderade ofta på klädindustrins miljöproblem. Dock ansåg konsumenterna att de fick otillräcklig information om ämnet och skulle vilja veta mer. Resultatet visar också att konsumenterna inte agerar utifrån denna medvetenhet eftersom ytterst få av dem ställde frågor till butikspersonal om deras klädproduktion eller arbete med hållbar konsumtion och miljö. Myrornas butikspersonal upplevde samma sak eftersom de sällan eller aldrig fick några frågor från kunderna om kläder och dess miljöproblem. Kunderna köpte också mer nyproducerade kläder än second hand kläder.

This study is a result of a participation in the Minor Field Study program where we interviewed inhabitants in Mahé, Seychelles, about environmental awareness and information sources and/or channels. Seychelles has a distinguished environment to preserve and protect for the sake of both human and nature and public awareness plays an important part in upholding this. Our aim with this thesis is to study the inhabitants' self-assessed awareness and perceptions regarding availability of information on environmental issues in Seychelles. Furthermore we hope that a by-product of our study will be an addition to the ongoing discussion and knowledge development regarding the global environmental and climate issues. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted and T. D. Wilson's information behaviour model from 1996 was used as theoretical framework when analysing the material. The results show a varied range of self-assessed awareness and perceptions regarding environmental issues and the availability of relevant information and information sources and/or channels.

O desenvolvimento da consciência ambiental no Brasil vem sendo pautado pelos princípios norteadores presentes nos fóruns ambientais mundiais e por seus desdobramentos institucionais através de legislações específicas, tais como o Plano Nacional de Educação Ambiental PNEA (1999) que prevê atribuições às modalidades formais e informais de ensino e os Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais PCNs (1997) ao inserirem a proposta dos temas transversais, incluindo o meio ambiente, para os níveis fundamental e médio de educação. Mas, mesmo garantindo a penetração social do tema, a presença de legislações específicas tem se mostrado insuficiente para a clareza e efetivação da formação ambiental, o que pode ser observado nas pesquisas sobre o tema que se voltam ao diagnóstico de atitudes ecológicas em detrimento dos processos de aprendizagem. Tendo em vista a necessidade de explicar como ocorrem estes processos dentro da temática ambiental, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo geral dimensionar a consciência ambiental a partir de uma intervenção pedagógica dirigida, tendo por base a teoria da paisagem geográfica de Monteiro (2001) e os referenciais pedagógicos de Vigotski (2012, 2014) e Freire (2004). De forma complementar estabelecemos como objetivo específico produzir e testar a validade de uma proposta intencional de intervenção pedagógica para demonstrar a hipótese de que a abordagem sistêmica da paisagem geográfica (Monteiro, 2001) tem potencial na ampliação da consciência ambiental. O procedimento central da pesquisa caracterizou-se pela experimentação junto a dois grupos de jovens moradores nas proximidades das Áreas de Proteção Ambiental Capivari-Monos/SP e Bororé-Colônia, para os quais se diferenciou a abordagem dos conteúdos de ensino, sendo que um deles participou de aulas dentro da perspectiva sistêmica (MONTEIRO, 2001), e o outro teve os assuntos tratados de forma tópica, sem que fossem enfatizadas as relações entre os conteúdos. A mensuração da consciência ambiental foi realizada a partir de duas variáveis operacionais (VOLPATO, 2015), sendo a primeira qualitativa, avaliando a capacidade explicativa dos estudantes quanto aos fenômenos ambientais estudados, e a segunda, quantitativa, a partir da escala NEP (New Ecological Paradigm) (DUNLAP et al, 2000). A combinação de variáveis qualitativa e quantitativa revelou-se determinante para a maior precisão no dimensionamento da consciência ambiental, e identificação das causas associadas ao seu desenvolvimento dentro das proposições teóricometodológicas estabelecidas pela pesquisa. Outros resultados ficaram a cargo da demonstração de problemas quanto ao nível de alfabetização de jovens frequentadores do sistema público de ensino; da viabilidade de uma proposição curricular na temática ambiental a partir da teoria da paisagem; da diferenciação entre percepção e consciência ambiental; e da avaliação quanto à capacidade de mensuração da escala NEP dentro do estudo proposto. / The development of environmental awareness in Brazil has been guided by the principles present in the global environmental forums and by its effects through specific legislation, such as the National Environmental Education Plan (PNEA) (1999), which provides for attributions to formal and informal teaching and the National Curricular Parameters - PCNs (1997) by inserting the proposal of cross-cutting themes, including the environment, for the fundamental and medium levels of education. These actions guarantee the social penetration of the theme, however the presence of specific legislation has proved insufficient for the clarity and effectiveness of the environmental education, which can be observed in the researches on diagnostics of ecological attitudes to the detriment of the processes of learning. Considering the need to explain how these processes occur within the environmental theme, this research had the general objective to dimension environmental awareness through on a guided pedagogical intervention, based on Monteiro\'s (2001) geographical landscape theory and the pedagogical references of Vigotski (2012, 2014) and Freire (2004). In a complementary way, we established as a specific objective to produce and test the validity of an intentional model of pedagogical intervention to demonstrate the hypothesis that the systemic approach of the geographic landscape (Monteiro, 2001) has the potential to increase environmental awareness. The central procedure of the research was characterized by the experimentation with two groups of young residents near of the Capivari-Monos / SP and Bororé-Colônia Environmental Protection Areas, for which the approach to teaching contents was differentiated, one of which participated of classes within the systemic perspective (MONTEIRO, 2001), and the other had the subjects treated topically, without emphasizing the relations between contents. The measurement of environmental awareness was made using two operational variables (VOLPATO, 2015). The first one was qualitative, assessing the ability of students to explain the environmental phenomena studied, and the second, quantitative, from the NEP scale (New Ecological Paradigm) (DUNLAP et al, 2000). The combination of qualitative and quantitative variables was determinant for the greater precision in the dimensioning of environmental awareness, and identification of the causes associated with its development within the theoreticalmethodological propositions established by the research. We highlight other results as the demonstration of problems regarding the level of literacy of young people served by the public school system; the feasibility of a curricular proposition in the environmental theme from the landscape theory; the differentiation between perception and environmental awareness; and the evaluation of the measurement capacity of the NEP scale within the proposed study.

A adoção de práticas sustentáveis desde à produção de alimentos até o consumo final tem sido mais frequente nos últimos anos. Essas práticas sustentáveis estão embasadas na promoção do desenvolvimento sustentável, sem prejudicar as gerações futuras da humanidade. Nesse contexto, os proprietários das agroindústrias familiares se deparam com diversos desafios quando se trata da diminuição de impactos ambientais e, em consequência, da promoção do desenvolvimento rural sustentável. A adoção de práticas sustentáveis é resultado da compreensão da consciência ambiental e dos valores humanos, os quais desencadeiam as atitudes pró-ambientais e, assim, resulta em um comportamento ecológico. Neste sentido, objetivou-se analisar a influência da consciência ambiental e dos valores humanos sobre as atitudes pró-ambientais dos proprietários das agroindústrias familiares vinculadas ao PEAF/RS. Os dados foram coletados por meio da aplicação de questionário, com quatro grupos de questões (perfil das agroindústrias familiares e atitudes pró-ambientais, Escala NEP, perfil socioeconômico, Escala Schwartz). A amostra corresponde aos 105 proprietários de agroindústrias familiares do Rio Grande do Sul. Os dados foram analisados utilizando estatística descritiva, analise fatorial e correlação. Os resultados apresentam que mais da metade da amostra é composta por adultos, com grau de escolaridade elevado e com formação em cursos voltados para a gestão da agroindústria Além disso, 37% das agroindústrias familiares têm um tempo de existência entre um a cinco anos, com mão de obra familiar e com atividades predominantes em olericultura, bebidas e panificados, nas cidades de Caxias do Sul, Santa Maria e Lajeado. A aplicação das escalas, demonstrou que os proprietários das agroindústrias familiares possuem um nível elevado de consciência ambiental, com predominância nos valores humanos de ordem superior “conservação” e “autotranscendência”. Tais resultados revelam uma tendência de possuir um comportamento ecocêntrico e altruísta, conforme a Escala NEP e Schwartz, respectivamente. Além disso, observou-se que as agroindústrias familiares têm atitudes pró-ambientais, as quais são implantadas e praticadas pela agroindústria. De modo geral, 40% dos proprietários das agroindústrias acreditam que o empreendimento tem mais de 80% de atividades pró-ambientais, tais como, o uso de embalagens recicláveis, a prática de conscientização ambiental, a economia de energia, o uso correto do descarte dos resíduos sólidos. Porém não foi encontrado correlação entre as escalas e as atitudes pró-ambientais. Portanto, entende-se que esses resultados auxiliam as esferas federativas na formulação de uma política de benefícios, motivando-os aqueles que possuem mais adequação à preservação ambiental e incentivando outros proprietários a praticarem mais ações ambientais. / The adoption of sustainable practices from food production to final consumption has been more frequent in recent years. These sustainable practices are based on the promotion of sustainable development, without harming future generations of humanity. In this context, the owners of family agroindustries face several challenges when it comes to reducing environmental impacts and, as a consequence, promoting sustainable rural development. The adoption of sustainable practices is the result of an understanding of environmental awareness and human values, which triggers pro-environmental attitudes and thus results in ecological behavior. In this sense, the objective was to analyze the influence of environmental awareness and human values on the pro-environmental attitudes of the owners of family agroindustries linked to PEAF/RS. Data were collected through the application of a questionnaire, with four groups of questions (profile of family agroindustries and pro-environmental attitudes, NEP Scale, socioeconomic profile, Schwartz Scale). The sample corresponds to the 105 owners of family agroindustries in Rio Grande do Sul. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, factorial analysis and correlation. The results show that more than half of the sample is composed of adults, with a high level of education and training in courses aimed at the management of agribusiness. In addition, 37% of family agroindustries have a life span of between one and five years, with family labor and predominant activities in olericultura, beverages and baked goods, in the cities of Caxias do Sul, Santa Maria and Lajeado The application of the scales, showed that the owners of the family agroindustries have a high level of environmental awareness, with a predominance of human values of higher order "conservation" and "self-transcendence". These results reveal a tendency to have an ecocentric and altruistic behavior, according to the NEP and Schwartz Scales, respectively. In addition, it was observed that family agroindustries have pro-environmental attitudes, which are implemented and practiced by the agroindustry. In general, 40% of the owners of agroindustries believe that the enterprise has more than 80% of pro-environmental activities, such as the use of recyclable packaging, the practice of environmental awareness, energy saving, the correct use of waste of solid waste. However, no correlation was found between the scales and the pro-environmental attitudes. Therefore, it is understood that these results help federative spheres in the formulation of a benefits policy, motivating those that are more adequate to environmental preservation and encouraging other owners to practice more environmental actions.

Nesta dissertação, o objetivo geral foi a elaboração e implementação de um projeto de gestão de resíduos (PGR) que permitisse minimizar e orientar para a destinação adequada dos resíduos gerados nas atividades experimentais de uma escola da rede pública de Porto Alegre que oferece o curso Técnico em Química (TQ). Para tanto, foi realizada uma investigação qualitativa, do tipo Estudo de Caso, onde após tratativas com a direção da escola, assim como com os professores do curso, verificou-se a presença de passivo ambiental e os hábitos adotados para o descarte dos resíduos gerados nas aulas experimentais de algumas disciplinas. As observações foram registradas em Diário de Campo. Na sequência foram aplicados questionários com docentes e discentes, para o diagnóstico das suas percepções sobre a elaboração e implementação de um PGR. Após a identificação das necessidades e do contexto escolar, foi elaborado o PGR para o TQ. Para que toda a comunidade escolar conhecesse o documento e pudesse adaptar suas práticas às orientações do mesmo, e assim implementá-lo e sustentá-lo na instituição partícipe deste estudo foram oferecidos cursos de formação com docentes e discentes Com o propósito de averiguar as formas de contribuição da implantação do PGR, aplicou-se questionários para os dois grupos de sujeitos participantes da pesquisa. Os referenciais teóricos que fundamentaram a pesquisa foram a discussão dos resultados que evidenciam que com a implementação do PGR o nível de conscientização dos discentes e docentes sobre o tratamento e o descarte dos resíduos foi ampliado, assim como o conhecimento quanto à responsabilidade civil em relação a gestão de resíduos. As atividades desenvolvidas nas aulas de Química Analítica Qualitativa foram adequadas aos princípios norteadores do PGR. De forma geral conclui-se que a existência de um PGR na escola favorece a formação de futuros profissionais cidadãos críticos, responsáveis e conscientes de seu papel na sociedade. Além disso, com a efetivação de um convênio entre a Secretaria Estadual de Educação (SEC) e o Centro de Gestão e Tratamento de Resíduos Químicos (CGTRQ) do Instituto de Química da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (IQ/UFRGS) favorecerá a manutenção e o funcionamento do projeto. / In this dissertation, the general objective was the elaboration and implementation of a waste management project (PGR) that allowed to minimize and to guide adequate destination of waste generated during experimental activities of a public school in Porto Alegre that offers Technical Chemistry course (TQ). In order to do so, a qualitative investigation was carried out, such as a Case Study, where, following discussions with the school's management, as well as with the teachers of the course, the presence of environmental liabilities and habits adopted for the disposal of generated waste were verified in the experimental classes of some disciplines. The observations were recorded in a Field Diary. Afterwards, questionnaires were applied with teachers and students to diagnose their perceptions about the elaboration and implementation of a PGR. After identifying the needs and the school context, the PGR for the TQ was elaborated. In order for the whole school community to know the document and to adapt its practices to the orientations of the same, and to implement and sustain it in the participating institution of this study, training formation courses were offered with teachers and students. With the purpose of ascertaining the contribution forms of the PGR implementation, questionnaires were applied to the two groups of subjects participating in the research after PGR implementation The theoretical references that supported this dissertation were the discussion of the results that show that with the implementation of the PGR the level of awareness of the students and teachers about the treatment and disposal of the residues was amplified, as well as the knowledge about the civil responsibility in relation to Waste Management. The activities developed in Qualitative Analytical Chemistry classes were adequate to the guiding principles of the PGR. In general, it is concluded that the existence of a PGR in the school favors the formation of future professionals who are critical, responsible and aware of their role in society. In addition, with the implementation of an agreement between the State Department of Education (SEC) and the Center for Management and Treatment of Chemical Residues (CGTRQ) of Chemistry Institute at Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (IQ/ UFRGS), it will promote to sustain PGR project.