Climate Change Awareness and Engagement Among Aviation Students and Organizations

This study explores climate change awareness and strategic engagement among aviation students and organizations at Indiana Aerospace University during Academic Year 2024–2025. Guided by Contingency Theory, the study utilized an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design involving a structured survey of 100 participants (50 students across different year levels and 50 representatives from seven campus organizations) and follow-up qualitative interviews. Quantitative findings revealed high overall levels of knowledge regarding climate change causes and industry impacts (weighted mean = 4.31) and a strong role perception of sustainability as a professional obligation (weighted mean = 4.34). However, strategic participation scored lower (weighted mean = 4.12), highlighting a gap between student awareness and active involvement. The primary challenges encountered include difficulties committing to daily campus sustainable practices, rare participation in sustainability activities, and challenges encouraging peers to join initiatives. Qualitative data contextualized these barriers, pointing to limited awareness of campus policies, lack of motivation, and insufficient practical opportunities. The study concludes that high environmental knowledge and positive attitudes are insufficient on their own to drive action without supportive institutional frameworks. It recommends embedding sustainability and green aviation technologies directly into curricula, enhancing communication regarding campus environmental policies, and establishing student-led leadership initiatives to foster meaningful, practice-oriented engagement in sustainable aviation.