The Role of Education and Awareness Campaigns in Shaping Attitudes towards Resource Conservation and Sustainable Practices in the People United Community, Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia

The main objective of this study was to assess the role of education and awareness campaigns in shaping attitudes towards resource conservation and sustainable practices in the People United Community.
Specific objectives were:
To determine the level of awareness of resource conservation and sustainable practices among the residents in the People United Community.
To determine the changes in attitude of the residents towards resource conservation due to their exposure to environmental education and public awareness campaigns.
To identify the key factors contributing to the effectiveness of education and awareness campaigns on resource conservation and sustainable practices, and the barriers hindering their practical application in the People United Community.

1. The Role of Education and Awareness Campaigns in Shaping Attitudes towards Resource Conservation and Sustainable Practices in the People United Community, Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia Princess H. Gborlue, 93687 Abigail Z. K. Fahnbulleh 8/26/2024 Undergraduate Thesis Defense University of Liberia | Department of Environmental Studies & Climate Change 1

2. 1. Introduction - Research Background and Significance The world is facing severe environmental problems, such as global warming, biodiversity loss, sea level rise, climate change, etc., primarily caused by human activities. Resources in Africa are vulnerable to overexploitation. ​​​In Liberia, factors such as unsustainable consumption practices, population growth, pollution, deforestation, etc , lead to increased degradation of resources. The People United Community in the district of Sinkor, struggles with several of these environmental challenges, which have attracted attention to the Community's critical need for intervention. Adopting sustainable practices is essential for addressing these challenges and ensuring a sustainable future. Education and awareness campaigns are known to play a crucial role in promoting sustainable attitude towards resource conservation. The research contributes to existing knowledge on the role of environmental education in resource conservation and providing a reference point for education and environmental conservation in Monrovia, Liberia. 8/26/2024 2

3. 1. Introduction - Research Objectives General Objectives: The main objective of this study was to assess the role of education and awareness campaigns in shaping attitudes towards resource conservation and sustainable practices in the People United Community. Specific objectives were: To determine the level of awareness of resource conservation and sustainable practices among the residents in the People United Community. To determine the changes in attitude of the residents towards resource conservation due to their exposure to environmental education and public awareness campaigns. To identify the key factors contributing to the effectiveness of education and awareness campaigns on resource conservation and sustainable practices, and the barriers hindering their practical application in the People United Community. 3 8/26/2024

4. 2. Literature Review A study by Farhanna and Al-Amin (2022) focused on the impact of Environmental Education (EE) on tertiary-level students' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions. The research findings indicated a significant improvement in students' knowledge and change in environmental attitudes after participating in the EE course. However, the study only focused on tertiary students, which limits the generalizability of the findings to other populations. ​​ Borresen et al. ( 2022 ) used a pre- and post-test design to compare the students' knowledge, attitudes, and views before and after the education program. The study found that the program had a positive impact on the knowledge, attitudes, and views of the secondary school students towards ecosystem services and biodiversity in the Ngorongoro District, Tanzania. The study only focused on secondary students in Tanzania. 4 8/26/2024

5. 3. Me thodology: Study Area The People United Community is a neighborhood situated along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean between the 19th and 24th Streets in the Sinkor district, Monrovia, Liberia. Its population is approximately 12,000 residents. ​ Environmental challenges: sea level rise, wetland degradation, marine pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices . 5 8/26/2024

6. 3. Me thodology: Sampling Design and Data Collection A simple random sampling technique was employed to select a sample of 354 individuals from the targeted population in the People United Community. The sample size was determined using Slovin's equation: n , where, n = the sample size, N = size of the population, and e = margin of error . ​​​​A well-structured Google survey questionnaire was administered with the aid of smartphones. The research questionnaire consisted of only closed-ended questions. A physical visit was made to the study area for the purpose of data collection.   6 8/26/2024

7. 3. Me thodology: Data Analysis and Instruments Upon the collection of data from the field, the researcher carefully cleaned, processed, and coded the data using Microsoft Excel Version 2019. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics for the determination of frequencies and percentages. ​ S tatistical tools such as frequency tables, pie charts, and graphs were utilized for data presentation and visualization. 7 8/26/2024

8. 4 . Results and Discussion 8 8/26/2024 Fig. 1: How Much Awareness Respondents Claim to Have on Resource Conservation and Sustainable Practices The low levels of awareness among community members highlight a significant gap in the effectiveness of environmental education and awareness campaigns among the residents. A substantial proportion of the community remains either under-informed or reliant on limited sources of information. 17.2% selected "I don't know" and 3.7% incorrectly identified "dumping garbage in rivers" as an example of sustainable practice, pointing to limitations in practical knowledge. Fig. 1.2: Best Example of Resource Conservation and Sustainable Practice as Identified by Respondents

9. 4 . Results and Discussion 9 8/26/2024 Fig. 2.1: How willing are Respondents to Adopt Sustainable Practices Due to Education and Awareness Campaigns Majority (61.3%) are "very willing" to change their habits to be more resource-efficient. This positive attitude suggests that the community recognizes the value of conservation efforts following exposure to education and awareness campaigns. The data also reveals that a good number of respondents "agree" or "strongly agree" that education and awareness campaigns significantly impact individuals' attitudes towards resource conservation. Nevertheless, the persistence of moderate disagreements among a significant portion of the population suggests that campaigns have not yet fully overcome the onset of existing attitudes. Fig. 2.2: Extent to which Respondents Agree that Education and Awareness Campaigns Significantly Impact Individuals’ Attitudes towards Resource Conservation

10. 4 . Results and Discussion 10 8/26/2024 That a majority of respondents perceive awareness campaigns as "Not Effective" is a critical concern. It points to a potential disconnect between the content or delivery of these campaigns and the community's needs and realities. The barriers identified, particularly the lack of community support and alternatives, highlight systemic issues that hinder the adoption of sustainable practices. Additionally, the absence of government involvement as a recognized factor contributing to the ineffectiveness of campaigns is alarming, suggesting the need for greater policy engagement and support, as argued by Hall et al. (2017) and Hamoudi and Avilés-Palacios (2022). Code Question Categories Frequency (n=354) Percent EFB 1 How effective do you find education and campaigns in raising awareness about resource conservation in your community? Very Effective 17 4.8 Somewhat Effective 123 34.7 Not Effective 214 60.5 EFB 2 What key factors contribute to the effectiveness of these campaigns in your community? Environmental Concerns 82 23.2 Public Understanding 46 12.9 Community Influence 12 3.4 Government Involvement None 214 60.5 EFB 3 What do you perceive as the biggest barrier to adopting more sustainable practices and resource conserving habits in your daily life? Lack of Alternatives 108 30.5 High Cost of Implementation 46 12.9 Limited Education on Sustainable Practices 71 20.1 Lack of Community Support 129 36.5 Table 4: Factors Contributing to the Effectiveness of Awareness Campaigns and Barriers Hindering Sustainable Practices among the Residents of the People United Community

11. 5. Summary and Conclusion The study assess the role of environmental education on fostering sustainable mindsets in communities with environmental challenges; sample was selected using a simple random sampling technique and Microsoft Excel was used to analysis the data. Awareness levels about resource conservation and sustainable practices were found to be generally low. T he study concludes that education and awareness campaigns play a positive role in shaping attitudes towards resource conservation and sustainable practices, but their impact within the People United Community is currently limited by structural barriers that need to be addressed. Local and national governments should introduce policies that motivate sustainable practices, such as providing subsidies for eco-friendly products or imposing penalties for environmentally harmful behaviors. Programs that have proven effective at the community level should be scaled up and replicated across other regions. 11 8/26/2024

12. References Børresen , S. T., Ulimboka , R., Nyahongo , J., Ranke, P. S., Skjaervø , G. R., & Røskaft , E.. (2023). The role of education in biodiversity conservation: Can knowledge and understanding alter locals’ views and attitudes towards ecosystem services? 29(1 ), 148–163. https:// doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2022.2117796 . Farhana , and Al Amin, (2023). Impact of Environmental Education on Tertiary Level Students' Knowledge, Attitude and Perception. Teacher's World: Journal of Education and Research, 48(2), 54–66. https:// doi.org/10.3329/twjer.v48i2.67551 12 8/26/2024

13. 8/26/2024 13 Thank You for Listening!! Question and Answer