The Impact of Environmental Concern and the Perception towards Sustainable Green Lifestyle Practices among Youth with Special Reference to Chennai

Abstract

The Climate change and its impact on environment has prompted many to wake up to the reality of the significance of their daily tasks and the decisions made on the ecology. In Chennai, Tamil Nadu , India it has been a rude awakening with the recent natural disasters such as the floods during December 2015 and the subsequent destruction of the city and the shrub jungles by Cyclone Varda during December 2016. The compromises and the scant regard for the ecology was attributed as the major cause. However, during these disasters one could clearly note the active participation of the youth in rescuing the victims and in providing assistance to the affected.  These incidents and gestures are likely to lead the youth to have a change in their perception that would lead to an increased awareness towards green practices. Hence this study is premeditated to identify the environmental concern present among the youth, the mediating role played by perception of the youth towards green lifestyle and awareness of green practices, in enabling the youth to adopt a sustainable green lifestyle. The study seeks to identify the obstacles or challenges faced by the youth in adopting a sustainable green lifestyle. The study also looks into the measures that need to be taken to overcome these obstacles.