Abstract. The study aims to approach the concept, role and meaning of ecological lifestyle
education in order to raise the awareness of Vietnamese students in building a sustainable
lifestyle, and minimizing negative impacts to the environment. The paper focuses on
clarifying the theoretical framework on eco-lifestyles, analyzing the necessity as well as
orienting ecological education for students. The research results emphasize a number of
orientations, especially in terms of content and methods of ecological lifestyle education, to
help students to understand the meaning of building ecological lifestyles associated with
specific actions to mitigate the effects of environmental degradation and climate change. In
addition, the study also provides reference suggestions for lecturers and teachers at other
educational institutions to improve the effectiveness of ecological education for students.
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HNUE JOURNAL OF SCIENCE
Educational Sciences, 2020, Volume 64, Issue 4B, pp. 13-21
This paper is available online at
ECOLOGICAL LIFESTYLE EDUCATION FOR VIETNAMESE STUDENTS
- THEORETICAL APPROACH AND SOLUTION ORIENTATION
Hoang Thi Thinh and Nguyen Thi Thanh Tung
Faculty of Politic Theory and Civic Education, Hanoi National University of Education
Abstract. The study aims to approach the concept, role and meaning of ecological lifestyle
education in order to raise the awareness of Vietnamese students in building a sustainable
lifestyle, and minimizing negative impacts to the environment. The paper focuses on
clarifying the theoretical framework on eco-lifestyles, analyzing the necessity as well as
orienting ecological education for students. The research results emphasize a number of
orientations, especially in terms of content and methods of ecological lifestyle education, to
help students to understand the meaning of building ecological lifestyles associated with
specific actions to mitigate the effects of environmental degradation and climate change. In
addition, the study also provides reference suggestions for lecturers and teachers at other
educational institutions to improve the effectiveness of ecological education for students.
Keywords: ecological lifestyle, Ecological lifestyle education, Vietnamese students.
1. Introduction
Recently, the issues of education about awareness of protecting environment, environmental
ethics education and ecological, sustainable and green lifestyle education has become global,
demanding positive actions from both governments and citizen. Among them, education on
ecological lifestyle shows positive implications for learners, especially students at universities
and colleges. In Vietnam, the National Strategy on Green Growth with a vision of 2050 has
identified that a green way of life and a way of living in harmony with the environment are 2 of
the 17 key solutions. [1]
The theory of ecological lifestyle and ecological lifestyle education, sustainable lifestyle has
been approached by a number of foreign researchers. The work of Akenji, L, H. Chen: A
framework for shaping sustainable lifestyles: Determinants and Strategies [2] refers to shaping
sustainable lifestyles, clarifying the determinants of ecological lifestyles and solutions to build
ecological lifestyles. AniMelkonyan, Klaus Krumme's work titled Innovative Logistics Services and
Sustainable Lifestyles - Interdependencies, Transformation Strategies and Decision Making [3] refers
to trends and developments in consumer behavior and lifestyles. Some studies emphasize
ecological lifestyle education through individuals’ behavior changes, and propose educational
models and learning environments such as Krasny and Tidball’s studies of Applying a Resilience
Systems Framework to Urban Environmental Education [4], and Urban environmental education
from a social-ecological perspective: conceptual framework for civic ecology education [5].
Another study highlights the impact of environment towards human and family lifestyles as the
work of Ivanova, D: Environmental Impact Assessment of Household Consumption [6].
Received April 12, 2020. Revised April 4, 2020. Accepted May 5, 2020.
Contact Hoang Thi Thinh, e-mail address: hoangthinhhnue@gmail.com
Hoang Thi Thinh and Nguyen Thi Thanh Tung
14
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has published some research and
publications. One Earth, Sustainable Lifestyles: Options and Opportunities” [7] identifies solutions
to educate sustainable lifestyles daily life. Sustainable lifestyles and education [8] argues that
sustainable lifestyles will become a reality in Asia and the Pacific, so that young people, leaders of
the future, must be confident and inspired to create a more sustainable path for the region.
In Vietnam, a number of studies on building ecological lifestyle and ecological lifestyle
education for learners has been performed with certain results. For example, Nguyen, L., Nayak,
R., Watkins, J. and Nguyen, P. (2019) with Drivers of social media disengagement: a study of
young consumers in Vietnam [9] emphasize the lifestyle of young consumers in Vietnam and its
potential environmental impacts on students in two major cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The Vietnam green living project researches and investigates the actual ecological lifestyle of
target groups, focusing on students, and then offers green gesture solutions to those who
contribute to protecting environment [10]. Besides the above studies, a number of local projects
in Vietnam on the issue of building ecological lifestyles have also been implemented.
There are a large number of Vietnamese students living and studying in cities and urban
areas. However, that ling far ways from their family and learning with credit models creates
difficulties and lacks of uniformity for students into the conversion of the educational process or
of self-education of ecological lifestyle. Therefore, on the basis of inheriting the previous studies,
the development of a theoretical framework and orientated solutions on ecological lifestyle
education for Vietnamese students is a practical and urgent issue in education to encourage the
active participation of Vietnamese students in the global communities to protect human
environment.
2. Content
2.1. Theory of ecological lifestyle and ecological lifestyle education
2.1.1. Ecological lifestyle
The concepts of ecological lifestyle, also known as sustainable lifestyle, green lifestyle is a
relatively new term. A number of studies refer to the concept of ecological lifestyle, typical
sustainable lifestyle such as the definition of Akenji, L, H. Chen: “A sustainable lifestyle is a
cluster of habits and patterns of behavior embedded in a society and facilitated by institutions,
norms and infrastructures that frame individual choice, in order to minimize the use of natural
resources and generation of wastes, while supporting fairness and prosperity for all”. [2] This
definition emphasizes the lifestyles and behaviors of each individual towards reducing
environmental impact and ensuring sustainable development.
According to William E. Rees (2018), “Sustainability implies living well more equitably
within the means of nature. Thus “sustainable lifestyle” implies any pattern of individual
consumption and social behaviors that could be shared by everyone while still maintaining
ecological integrity; it is facilitated by institutions, social norms and infrastructures that frame
individual choices and actions while remaining that the aggregate rates of biophysical resource use
and waste generation are within the regenerative and assimilative capacities of ecosystems” [11].
The UN Environment Program - UNEP defines that “Sustainable lifestyles is a way of life
that is achieved by both effective infrastructure, services, products and actions, personal choices
to minimize using natural resources, reducing emissions, waste and pollution while promoting
equitable socio-economic development for all and preserving the earth's life support system
within the planet's ecological tolerance” [7; p.6].
One of the most recent typical ecological lifestyle studies is from the Center for Community and
Environmental Initiative Development (C&E). This study illustrates that”ecological lifestyles as
Ecological lifestyle education for Vietnamese students - theoretical approach and solution orientation
15
understood as ways of living, a set of daily activities in a balanced/ healthy way and close to nature,
taking into account the reduction of negative impacts on the environment, the reduction of consumption
of natural resources and the minimization of emissions pollution and waste into the environment, an
environmentally friendly way of life, but still meeting the needs of human life” [12; p.11].
In general, the views of organizations and researchers about the concept of ecological
lifestyles cover all basic contents including the collection of habits, behaviors of individuals and
communities to target development. An ecological lifestyle is understood as the way of living and
organizing individuals’ daily life, as a consumer choice for energy use, means of transport, daily
necessities, waste, communication in the direction of harmonizing with the natural environment,
contributing towards building a sustainable lifestyle. Overall, ecological lifestyles are all habits
and behaviors of individuals and communities in order to minimize negative impacts on the
environment, to reduce the use of natural resources, to decrease emissions, waste, and pollution.
They are the way of life, the choice of individuals to live friendly with environment, ensuring
sustainable development.
2.1.2. Ecological lifestyle education
Ecological lifestyle education is a concept with a very broad connotation in both content and
educational subjects. Basically, ecological lifestyle education is a combination of all educational
activities with objectives, contents, methods and approaches to educate the human lifestyle. It
expressed in all methods as well as areas of activities such as production, consumption, activities,
behavioral attitudes, ways of thinking and behaviors between people and people, between entities and
objects, and between conditions, means and purposes of life. In the framework of this study, only
analytical and clarifying aspects of ecological lifestyle education for learners are specifically targeted.
The issue of ecological lifestyle education for students is extremely important. Ecological
lifestyle education for students is a process through formal and non-formal educating activities to
help students to gain knowledge, skills and values that enable them to shape and develop
sustainable lifestyles. As a result, it contributes positively to addressing global challenges, such
as resource efficiency and multi-conservation biodiversity, climate change mitigation and
adaptation, poverty reduction, and social welfare.
The goals of ecological lifestyle education are to change individuals’ knowledge, attitudes
and behaviors, and to improve awareness of the role of human beings in ecosystems, contributing
to minimizing negative impacts on the environment.
Specific objectives of ecological lifestyle education:
Firstly, helping learners to understand the nature of ecological lifestyles, to equip learners
with knowledge of eco-lifestyles as the principles and competencies needed to achieve sustainable
and popular lifestyles. It also provides basic knowledge about environmental issues, biological
capacity of the environment, thereby building a healthy lifestyle in which people live closely to
nature, minimize negative impacts on the environment.
Secondly, orienting learners about attitude and eco-friendly lifestyle. They include:
recognizing the implications of building an ecological lifestyle for solving global environmental
issues; And ensuring each individual's positive contribution to address global challenges, such as
resource efficiency and biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, poverty reduction
and social welfare.
Thirdly, forming skills, adjusting habits and lifestyles in harmony with the environment,
encouraging learners' participation in building ecological lifestyles on regional and national
platforms, promoting initiatives and options to reduce environmental degradation.
2.2. The necessity of ecological lifestyle education for Vietnamese students
Ecological lifestyle education for the community in general and for students in particular is
Hoang Thi Thinh and Nguyen Thi Thanh Tung
16
extremely important in helping to reduce negative impacts on the environment. The age of
students is prescribed from 18 to 25 years old, a period that physical factors, awareness and
thinking of students as a personality are in the process of shaping. At that time, they are more
active in communication activities, have knowledge being trained professionally. Students are
easy to absorb new things, especially in exploring and creating. Vietnamese students concentrate
in universities and colleges (around in cities and large towns), live in a community meaning that
they consist mostly homogeneous members in knowledge and age, with close friendships. Out of
236 universities and institutes across the country, there are 175 universities concentrating in big
towns and cities in the Red River Delta and Southeast regions.
Table 1. Statistics of universities and students in Vietnam
for the academic year 2017-2018 [13]
Criteria Total Public schools Non-public schools
Number of universities and institutes 236 171 65
Number of students 1707025 1439495 267530
Number of lecturers 74991 59232 15759
“Young people have great power to determine the future of the earth. They can influence
change by using their capacities as citizens, consumers, campaigners, and creators to make a
difference to lead alternative lifestyles.” [14] UNEP determines that sustainable living is a reality,
so that young people, as leaders of the future, must be empowered and inspired to create a more
sustainable path.
Figure 1. Partnership - A combination of factors that contribute to the promotion
of ecological lifestyle [8]
The necessity of ecological lifestyle education for Vietnamese students stems from the
following reasons:
Firstly, stemming from the recent state of the environment and the role of students in global
environmental issues
Ecological lifestyle education, especially education for students, is one of the most
meaningful and practical actions in the context the environment is seriously degraded along
with many global issues such as climate change, poverty reduction.”Environmental pollution is
slowly improved; environmental pollution in many places is still serious, especially in some
Youth
The leaders of the future
Policy
Enabling framework
such as consumer
information policy,
taxes and subsidies
Academia
Raising awareness
amongst learners to change
to more sustainable
consumption patterns
Private sector
Providing products
and services that
enable a sustainable
lifestyle
Ecological lifestyle education for Vietnamese students - theoretical approach and solution orientation
17
craft villages and river basins; handling of environmental violations is not serious. Awareness
of environmental protection of a part of people and businesses is not high. Many natural
ecosystems, especially forests, wetlands, and marine vegetation systems, are reduced in both
areas and quality. Forest protection is still inadequate, and deforestation and forest fires still
occur. Many species and precious genetic resources face high risk of extinction. Overcoming
the consequences of environmental pollution caused by the war is still difficult...” [15].
Students are easy and often exposed to information, images and messages that promote
ecological lifestyle. Therefore, they play an important role in changing the way of life and
behaviors of the community. They are also the main objects needed more sustainable lifestyle
education and consumption habits. With educating ecological lifestyles, students can
understand that their lifestyle are directly related to over-exploitation of resources, increased
poverty, inequality and conflicts. Moreover, the younger generation of people under the age of
24, who make up nearly half of the world's population and the majority living in developing
countries, need to be educated to understand that their lifestyle choices can be increase or
decrease the opportunity for a better and more sustainable future.
Secondly, stemming from the current state of awareness and behavior on the ecological
lifestyle of Vietnamese students
Students have shown an interest in issues related to ecological lifestyles and the impact of
lifestyle on environmental issues and sustainable development through their participation in green
lifestyle initiatives. According to the survey results on the ecological lifestyle of Vietnamese
students by the Center for Development of Community and Environment Initiatives (C&E) in
2015 with the participation of 1180 students, mainly in big cities in Vietnam, the majority of
students are aware of the impact of lifestyle on environment, accounting for 78.3%. However,
only 47.4% of students are aware of the impact of lifestyle on climate change and up to 92.2% of
students said that they did not really understand climate change [12; p.20]. Survey results also
show a paradox between cognitive capacity and implementation capacity that most students know
green, environmentally friendly actions (recycling, waste classification, cycling), planting trees,
saving energy, not using plastic bags) but most of the students have not done these actions yet.
Therefore, ecological lifestyle education is really necessary for students to unify the awareness
and behaviors that contribute to sustainable living.
In terms of actual consumption in society, UNEP identifies “students are increasingly the
main consumer of clothing, food, utilities, communications, tourism and Entertainment and group
pressures often encourage young people to adopt unsustainable consumption patterns, which are
gradually ingrained in their minds and life as adults. The link between climate change and
lifestyles can be a challenge for young people in both developed and developing countries,
tackling this challenge will lead to positive lifestyle changes and reduce negative impacts extreme
to the environment” [14; p.7]. As such, ecological lifestyle education is aimed at helping them
make environmentally-friendly lifestyle and consumption choices to minimize their
environmental impact.
Thirdly, comes from the rationality and effectiveness of the ecological lifestyle education for students
Ecological lifestyle education is an attractive, relevant and capable subject that can be effectively
integrated into subjects. Thereby, learners understand global issues such as climate change,
environmental pollution; the situation of environmental pollution in Vietnam and globally.
Accordingly, it promotes students to have the right attitude to the current state of the environment and
to lead a healthy, environmentally-friendly lifestyle. In addition, creative or extra-curricular
experiences can be an advantage in educating ecological lifestyles for students. In recent years, many
universities in Vietnam have organized extra-curricular activities, talks and especially creative
experiences on green lifestyles, ecological lifestyles or environmental protection projects. The
Hoang Thi Thinh and Nguyen Thi Thanh Tung
18
attraction and ability to spread shows that ecological lifestyle education can really change the
behaviors and activities of students as well as their families and social communities.
2.3. Some orientations to improve the effectiveness of ecological lifestyle education
for students in Vietnam
Ecological lifestyle education is one of the keys to addressing environmental challenges such
as climate change. In the world, there are many lifestyle education programs associated with
sustainable development, typically the Climate Change Education Program for the sustainable
development of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO);
The YouthXchange initiative, launched by UNEP and UNESCO since 2001. It is aimed at
promoting sustainable lifestyles of young people with the participation of 45 countries in the
world including Vietnam. The content of ecological lifestyle educati