The effect of climate change worry on sustainable consumption behavior

This study was conducted to determine the levels of climate change concern and sustainable consumption behaviours of students and to examine the relationship between the two variables. The population of the study consisted of 784 students studying at Bezmiâlem Vakıf University Faculty of Health Sciences and the sample consisted of 258 students who agreed to participate in the study. As data collection tools, 10-item "Personal Information Form", 10-item "Climate Change Concern Scale" and 17-item "Sustainable Consumption Behaviour Scale" were applied. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0 software. Descriptive statistics were given as number, percentage, mean and standard deviation, and the relationships between variables were examined using Student's t-test, One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation and simple linear regression analysis. 70.5% (n=182) of the students were female and 29.5% (n=76) were male, with a mean age of 22.18 ± 3.02 years. Of the 258 students, 89 (%34.5) were studying in nursing, 55 (%21.3) in physiotherapy and rehabilitation, 45 (%17.4) in nutrition and dietetics, 31 (%12.0) in health management, 20 (%7.8) in audiology and 18 (%7.0) in occupational therapy. While 72 students (%27.9) stated that they were in the first grade, 75 students (%29.1) were in the second grade, 51 students (%19.8) were in the third grade and 60 students (%23.3) were in the fourth grade. While 46 students (%17.8) received training on climate change, 74 students (%28.7) participated in activities related to climate change. While no significant difference was observed between climate change concern and age and grade level, a significant difference was observed between gender, department, receiving education on climate change and participating in activities related to climate change (p < 0.05). While no significant difference was observed between sustainable consumption uior and age; a significant difference was observed between gender, department, grade level, receiving education on climate change and participating in activities related to climate change (p < 0.05). As a result of the correlation analysis, a moderate positive and significant relationship was found between climate change concern and sustainable consumption behaviour (r = 0.440, p < 0.001). Climate change concern positively affects sustainable consumption behaviour (β = 0.386, p < 0.001) and explains 19.4% of the variance in sustainable consumption behaviour. The findings emphasize the importance of efforts to increase sustainability education and awareness at the university level. In this context, it is recommended that universities organize various activities to raise more awareness on climate change and sustainability, include these issues more in the curricula and guide students on this issue. In addition, various campaigns and projects should be supported to promote sustainable consumption habits and raise awareness throughout the society. In this way, more effective steps can be taken to combat climate change and an important step can be taken for a sustainable future. Keywords: Climate, climate change, sustainability, consumption, behaviour