Caring for Mother Nature: Environmental Awareness, Attitudes, and Practices Through Values Education

Environmental challenges such as global warming, waste mismanagement, and biodiversity loss continue to threaten ecological balance and human well-being. In the Philippine context, rapid urbanization and weak enforcement of environmental laws intensify these problems. Education, particularly Values Education, plays a crucial role in bridging knowledge with responsibility by instilling ethical commitment, social consciousness, and sustainable practices. This study is significant as it examines how Values Education influences learners’ environmental awareness, attitudes, and practices, thereby fostering stewardship and care for Mother Nature. The study aimed to determine the extent to which Values Education shapes students’ environmental awareness, attitudes, and practices. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-method design, data were collected from 154 junior high school learners in Pampanga and Bulacan through survey questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression, while qualitative responses were examined through thematic analysis. Findings revealed that learners demonstrated high to very high levels of environmental awareness, attitudes, and practices. Values Education was shown to not only enhance awareness but also translate into real-life behaviors such as proper waste disposal, energy conservation, and participation in eco-friendly school programs. Qualitative insights reinforced these results, highlighting how values internalized in the classroom were applied in everyday contexts. Challenges were noted in sustaining consistent practices, underscoring the need for structured interventions. In conclusion, Values Education serves as a vital mechanism in bridging the gap between awareness and action, ensuring that environmental knowledge is transformed into sustainable practices. The study recommends strengthening school-based environmental campaigns and integrating values-driven approaches to nurture responsible citizenship and long-term environmental sustainability.

Values Education, Environmental Awareness, Environmental Attitudes, Environmental Practices, Caring for Mother Nature

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