Individual and Collective Approaches of Students who are Members of Social Clubs at University to Mitigate Climate Change Impacts

Abstract

Climate change is one of the most important global problems of our time. For the solution of this problem, the need for awareness and taking responsibility at individual and social level is quite high. The aim of this study, which was conducted on social club members, is to examine the level of hope for the prevention of climate change according to sociodemographic characteristics, club factors and taking responsibility variable. Relational survey model, one of the quantitative research methods, was used in the study. The research data were collected from the students studying at Ardahan University in the 2023-2024 academic year through a questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 27 and AMOS 24 statistical package programs. In this context, parametric tests such as Independent Samples T Test, One- Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Pearson Correlation and Simple Linear Regression Analysis were applied due to the normal distribution of the data. When the results of the analysis are examined, it is seen that the mean scale scores of the sample group are high; there is a significant difference between the groups in terms of hope levels according to their education levels and club types; and the variable of taking responsibility has an effect of 26.7% on the level of hope. Thus, a one-unit increase in the level of responsibility causes a 0.301-unit increase in the level of hope for preventing climate change. In this context, club members' approaches to preventing climate change can be strengthened by conducting incentive studies to increase their sense of responsibility.