Examining the environmental awareness of children and adolescents in the Ranomafana region, madagascar

Abstract

This paper examines children's and adolescents' environmental awareness in rural Madagascar. Two types of school survey among 8‐ to 21‐year‐old students and pupils in 18 schools were used for data collection. The objective of this comparative study was to examine the environmental awareness and knowledge of children and adolescents living under different ecological conditions. The role of education in forming environmental awareness is also considered. This research was carried out in villages nearby Ranomafana National Park located in forested areas as well as in more environmentally degraded villages further from the park. The results of the study show that children in rural areas of Madagascar are measurably aware of environmental issues and can relate them to human activities. The effect of education on environmental concern is significant, but when the effects of degradation can be felt and seen in daily life there is an increase in this awareness. Children's environmental concern and demand for action was stronger in deforested areas.

Notes

* Corresponding author: Kaisa Korhonen, University of Helsinki, Department of Social Policy, PO Box 18, FIN‐00014 University of Helsinki, Finland. e‐mail: [email protected]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kaisa Korhonen *

* Corresponding author: Kaisa Korhonen, University of Helsinki, Department of Social Policy, PO Box 18, FIN‐00014 University of Helsinki, Finland. e‐mail: [email protected]