Environmental citizenship among rural university youth at Al-Azhar University in Cairo and its impact on their awareness of climate change risks

Shams El-Din, S. A. F.; Abu El-Hassan, Y. M.

doi:10.21608/aasj.2025.458709

Environmental citizenship among rural university youth at Al-Azhar University in Cairo and its impact on their awareness of climate change risks

Document Type : Research article

Authors

Department of Agricultural Extension & Rural Sociology, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

10.21608/aasj.2025.458709

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the current status of environmental citizenship among rural university youth, determine the extent of their knowledge regarding climate change risks concerning agriculture, public health, and food security, assess their awareness of mechanisms for addressing climate change in these areas, and identify the obstacles limiting the role of environmental citizenship in enhancing such awareness, as well as possible solutions. The research was conducted on a sample of 200 respondents from four faculties at Al-Azhar University: the Faculties of Agriculture (male and female) in Cairo and the Faculties of Islamic Studies (male and female) in Cairo. Data were collected through a questionnaire during March 2025. After collection, the data were coded, tabulated, and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings revealed that nearly three-quarters of respondents (71%) were between 18 and 20 years old. The vast majority (93.5%) reported obtaining information on climate and environmental issues from the Internet. Results indicated a moderate level of personal environmental responsibility, a high level of environmental justice, and a moderate level of environmental participation. More than half (52%) demonstrated a moderate overall level of environmental citizenship. Additionally, over two-thirds (68.0%) demonstrated a high overall level of knowledge of climate change risks, and nearly two-thirds (65.5%) showed a high level of understanding of mechanisms to address these risks. The most significant obstacle identified was the lack of research related to climate change issues (100%). The primary suggestion for overcoming this challenge was to develop training plans and programs to raise university youth’s awareness of environmental citizenship (100%).

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