Analysis of Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior towards Sustainability and Sustainable Lifestyle: Implications for the Sustainable Future of Africa

Abstract

Sustainable development has become a critical concern in the 21st Century. While a number of players are actively engaged in the delivery of the SDGs,the unique contribution of educational institutions of higher learning is key to achieving the SDGs. Apart from the fact that quality education can break the shackles of poverty and hunger (SDG 1 & 2), spur economic growth and decent jobs (SDG 8), we argue that quality educational institutions of higher learning play a critical role in grooming future leaders and workers to develop global social consciousness, positive sustainable development mind-set and adopt a sustainable lifestyle.Therefore,this empirical study utilized a cross-sectional descriptive research design and surveyed 422 respondents to examine the level of students’ awareness of sustainability issues, their attitudes towards sustainability and their current lifestyle in selected countries in Africa. The results suggest that generally, students have a fair idea of sustainability issues. They seem to know a lot about pollution and deforestation, however, they lack a deep understanding of other key sustainability-related concepts that confront our world today. More so, they appear to have positive attitudes towards the multi-dimensions of environmental sustainability. Nevertheless,their daily actions and lifestyle do not powerfully support what they profess. Implications of the study results are therefore discussed.