Comparing Perspectives on Sustainability: German and American Undergraduate students
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Electro-Mechanical Systems | Graphic Design | Integrative Biology | Mechanical Engineering | Nursing
Abstract (300 words maximum)
The United States has approximately 20.3 million undergraduate students with different perspectives and ways of viewing life. In Germany, we learned that sustainable practices are a norm in their culture as they have been implemented through strict environmental policies, causing the country to have more than 40% of their energy coming from renewable resources. Meanwhile in the United States, although recycling programs are available, they lack participation due to inconsistent environmental policies and a high reliance on fossil fuels. This qualitative research aims to compare and contrast the sustainability practices between American and German college students. The participants in the study consisted of nine American students enrolled at Kennesaw State University, and six German students aged 21 to 26. Data was collected by interviewing the students on sustainable living, energy sources, resource management, and recycling practices. Participants were also asked about their knowledge of sustainability issues in their country, such as the presence of government aid towards living more sustainably, the main causes of pollution in their country, and how they participated in reducing pollution. Last, participants answered questions about food and food choices. The results showed that sustainability practices are not widely used by American students compared to German students. German students presented more knowledge and active practices of sustainability. For example, they conserve electricity in public restrooms with the use of motion sensor lights, they consume all or most of the food on their plates and scrape the rest into a compost bin, they have recycling bins everywhere you go, and they have second-hand shops. The contrast in sustainability habits between American and German college students demonstrates the impact of governmental policies and societal norms on environmental behaviors and emphasizes the need for more sustainable practices in the United States.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Inclusive Learning and Social Growth
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Amy Buddie
Comparing Perspectives on Sustainability: German and American Undergraduate students
The United States has approximately 20.3 million undergraduate students with different perspectives and ways of viewing life. In Germany, we learned that sustainable practices are a norm in their culture as they have been implemented through strict environmental policies, causing the country to have more than 40% of their energy coming from renewable resources. Meanwhile in the United States, although recycling programs are available, they lack participation due to inconsistent environmental policies and a high reliance on fossil fuels. This qualitative research aims to compare and contrast the sustainability practices between American and German college students. The participants in the study consisted of nine American students enrolled at Kennesaw State University, and six German students aged 21 to 26. Data was collected by interviewing the students on sustainable living, energy sources, resource management, and recycling practices. Participants were also asked about their knowledge of sustainability issues in their country, such as the presence of government aid towards living more sustainably, the main causes of pollution in their country, and how they participated in reducing pollution. Last, participants answered questions about food and food choices. The results showed that sustainability practices are not widely used by American students compared to German students. German students presented more knowledge and active practices of sustainability. For example, they conserve electricity in public restrooms with the use of motion sensor lights, they consume all or most of the food on their plates and scrape the rest into a compost bin, they have recycling bins everywhere you go, and they have second-hand shops. The contrast in sustainability habits between American and German college students demonstrates the impact of governmental policies and societal norms on environmental behaviors and emphasizes the need for more sustainable practices in the United States.