The relationship between university students' environmental literacy and global warming knowledge levels and their eco-anxiety status

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine whether there is a correlation between university students' knowledge levels on environmental literacy and global warming and their eco-anxiety status in order to analyze eco-anxiety (ecological anxiety) in its various dimensions. Material and Methods: This thesis is a cross-sectional study based on quantitative data. The study was conducted face-to-face with undergraduate students enrolled in four-year faculties at Aydın Adnan Menderes University's main campus during the 2022-2023 academic year. A four-part survey consisting of 99 questions was administered to the 721 students who constituted the study group. The survey results were entered into SPSS 15.0 and analyzed using frequency, t-test, ANOVA, chi-square, and Pearson's correlation analyses. The Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient for the survey was found to be α=0.93. The relationship between the students' environmental literacy and global warming knowledge levels and their eco-anxiety was investigated. Results: In this study, it was observed that as the environmental literacy and global warming knowledge levels of university students increased, their eco-anxiety levels decreased. Conclusion: Including these topics in the curriculum to increase students' environmental literacy and knowledge about global warming will reduce the level of eco-anxiety. Regardless of faculty, having knowledge on these topics, even at a general cultural level, will both develop sustainable environmental awareness and ensure that future generations are raised sensitively. Keywords: Environmental education, environmental literacy, environmental health, ecoanxiety, global warming knowledge level, undergraduate student