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Students’ Interests in Biodiversity: Links with Health and Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Fernanda Franzolin

    (Centre for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre 09210-580, Brazil)

  • Graça S. Carvalho

    (CIEC, Institute of Education, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Carolina Maria Boccuzzi Santana

    (Centre for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre 09210-580, Brazil
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Andreia dos Santos Calegari

    (Centre for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre 09210-580, Brazil
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ester Aparecida Ely de Almeida

    (Centre for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre 09210-580, Brazil
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • João Paulo Reis Soares

    (Centre for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre 09210-580, Brazil
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Jessica Jorge

    (Centre for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre 09210-580, Brazil)

  • Franciele Dutra das Neves

    (Centre for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre 09210-580, Brazil)

  • Erika Romanholo Silva Lemos

    (Centre for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre 09210-580, Brazil)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that sustainable actions to preserve biodiversity are critical to preventing new microorganisms from harming human health. In this sense, education and encouraging young people’s interest in local biodiversity are crucial to promoting its preservation and sustainability. This research studied the biodiversity interests of 14–15-year-old students in São Paulo State, focusing on the links between biodiversity and human health. The criterion of maximum variation was used to constitute a heterogeneous sample of students. Students answered a four-point Likert questionnaire. The items in this questionnaire were divided into categories related to the interest of young people in biodiversity, and these were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Wilcoxon test). Categories of biodiversity linked to “health or human utility” were of higher interest to young people than those with no links to human benefits, such as “diversity of organisms”. These findings, along with the literature, showed that young people are interested in biodiversity issues associated with human health. Therefore, teaching biodiversity should reflect on new possibilities for making a more sustainable environment and promoting social and environmental justice, fundamental aspects of promoting and guaranteeing human health.

Suggested Citation

  • Fernanda Franzolin & Graça S. Carvalho & Carolina Maria Boccuzzi Santana & Andreia dos Santos Calegari & Ester Aparecida Ely de Almeida & João Paulo Reis Soares & Jessica Jorge & Franciele Dutra das N, 2021. "Students’ Interests in Biodiversity: Links with Health and Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:24:p:13767-:d:701603
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jennifer Schneiderhan-Opel & Franz X. Bogner, 2020. "The Relation between Knowledge Acquisition and Environmental Values within the Scope of a Biodiversity Learning Module," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-19, March.
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    1. Frederick Gyasi Damptey & Nana Yeboaa Opuni-Frimpong & Abdul Wahid Arimiyaw & Felicity Bentsi-Enchill & Edward Debrah Wiafe & Betty Boante Abeyie & Martin Kofi Mensah & Daniel Kwame Debrah & Augustine, 2022. "Citizen Science Approach for Assessing the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service Potential of Urban Green Spaces in Ghana," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-25, October.
    2. Tamara Esquivel-Martín & José Manuel Pérez-Martín & Beatriz Bravo-Torija, 2023. "Does Pollution Only Affect Human Health? A Scenario for Argumentation in the Framework of One Health Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-21, April.
    3. Benedikt Heuckmann & Albert Zeyer, 2022. "Science|Environment|Health, One Health, Planetary Health, Sustainability, and Education for Sustainable Development: How Do They Connect in Health Teaching?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-15, September.

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