The end of school and the beginning of university represent a fundamental step in the lives of young people. Along with new challenges, this turning point can also be an opportunity for boys and girls to adopt more sustainable lifestyle habits, such as stopping eating meat or recycling more: this is what emerges from a study published on PLOS Climatewhich highlights that the best time to push young people to adopt more sustainable habits is during big life changes, like starting college.
Covid and universities. Researchers analyzed the behavior of 402 students between 16 and 24 years of age at two turning points in their lives: the transition from school to university and the covid pandemic.
Both events have reshaped the daily routine of young people, offering opportunities to change their habits and move towards more environmentally friendly behaviour.
University: yes to recycling, but also to fast fashion. As students entered college, they reported recycling more, walking or cycling more frequently, and consuming less meat and dairy.
However, they worsened their habits of ethical consumption and environmental activism – in other words, they cared less actively about the environment, bought clothes from fast fashion brands and consumed non-local and non-seasonal foods.
Covid: no to waste. During the covid pandemic, the results of the study highlight, young people have instead reduced food waste and the consumption of animal products (both habits green) but lockdowns have limited environmental activism.
Values are not enough. What emerges from the analysis is that having sound principles is not enough: without opportunities and infrastructures that support sustainable habits, good intentions are lost.
«Big changes in life disrupt our routine. This transition phase can become a precious opportunity to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle — but only if you receive the right support”, concludes Kaloyan Mitev, research coordinator.