A Sustainability Literacy Assessment of Students at East Carolina University

Abstract

Sustainability is achieved when social, environmental, and economic functions are operating in unity at maximum efficiency. This study takes a closer look at the sustainable knowledge of students at East Carolina University. An electronic survey of ten questions was developed and distributed through e-mail to approximately four hundred randomly selected ECU students. The data was then analyzed to identify whether or not there were patterns of knowledge in relation to gender, academic level, and college through which each student is pursuing their degree. The findings can be used to determine if there needs to be an increase in sustainable education at ECU and ultimately earn the university points towards being qualified as a sustainable institution by the standards of AASHE STARS.