Original scientific paper
How prospective teachers perceive society’s most pressing environmental challenges
Nataša Dolenc
orcid.org/0000-0002-7679-7488
; Faculty of Education, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia
*
Ines Kovačić
orcid.org/0000-0001-8929-1614
; Faculty of Natural Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Pula, Hrvatska
Bojan Burić
orcid.org/0009-0004-5796-3956
; Faculty of Educational Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Pula, Hrvatska
Nives Kovač
; Faculty of Education, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
This study provides a comparative analysis of environmental concerns among prospective teachers in Slovenia and Croatia, revealing both shared and distinct priorities shaped by regional context. Students identify climate change, waste management, and pollution in general as key issues on a local level, though Croatians uniquely emphasize wild dumps, while Slovenians are more concerned with air pollution. On a global scale, both groups highlighted climate change, waste problem, and air pollution. Croatian students perceive risks like plastic pollution and biodiversity loss as especially severe, likely influenced by regional environmental challenges. Both groups emphasize waste management and environmental education, with Slovenians prioritizing waste treatment and Croatians emphasizing educational initiatives. Notable behavioral differences include Slovenian students’ focus on reducing packaging waste, while Croatian students favor recyclable and biodegradable options. Divergent attitudes toward reliable information sources are also observed, as Slovenian students trust institutional sources more, while Croatian lean toward informal networks. These findings underscore the need to strengthen environmental education in schools to foster responsible attitudes and equip future generations with knowledge and skills.
Keywords
environmental attitudes; environmental behaviors; environmental literacy; pollution; sustainable education
Hrčak ID:
335177
URI
Publication date:
30.7.2025.
Visits: 301 *