The Role of Teachers in Environmental Education: From Attitude to Practical Action in Reducing Energy Consumption and Managing Waste

Environmental protection has become one of the world’s top priorities. The increasing consumption of natural resources and the overproduction of waste have become serious threats to human health and the balance of ecosystems. Schools, as key educational institutions, play an essential role in raising a generation that is aware of and responsible for environmental issues. Teachers, as role models for students, can lead the way by teaching and promoting a culture of energy saving and proper waste management. This makes them central figures in shaping students’ sustainable behaviors. In this study, the awareness, attitudes, and practical actions of teachers regarding energy consumption reduction and waste management were assessed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, whose validity and reliability were confirmed by expert reviews and statistical tests. A total of 39 teachers from different educational levels participated in the study. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Spearman correlation analysis. The results showed that female teachers had more positive attitudes toward environmental issues compared to male teachers. In addition, teachers with more years of teaching experience were more active in practical environmental actions. A significant positive correlation was found between teachers’ environmental awareness and their real-life behavior. However, the study also revealed a noticeable gap between teachers’ positive attitudes and their actual environmental actions. This gap is likely due to structural limitations and a lack of resources. This research highlights the need for targeted training programs and institutional support to strengthen the role of teachers in environmental education. The findings can help policymakers and school administrators design effective programs to improve environmental practices in schools.