HANADA Mariko
OSAKA SANGYO UNIVERSITY Journal of Human Environmental Studies, 16(16) 79-104, Mar, 2017 Peer-reviewed
This study evaluates the degree of awareness concerning energy conservation gained by 283 fourth grade students at 3 elementary schools in Daito city, who took an energy conservation program for primary schoolchildren. The program was designed by Osaka Sangyo University students as part of a project supported by the Ministry of the Environment and the Osaka Center for Climate Change Actions. Results were measured in two ways; (1) change of children’s interest in environmental problems, a sense of impending crisis about future climate, and willingness to practice energy saving before and after classes, and, (2) reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by the students’ energy saving practices after the classes. Results show, a big change was seen with increased interest and sense of impending crisis. Also, the quantity of greenhouse gas reduced by energy saving actions was estimated at 10.8t-CO2. One reason for these positive results can be the program was made with reference to the local version of the environment action plan (local agenda) and planned in relation to the environmental education program of the partnership organization.