Beyond the global warming issue

Understanding students’ motivations as volunteers in youth environmental community

Abstract

Regardless of their status as environmental activists, student volunteers tend to have more complex motivations when deciding to join an environmental community. This study aims to understand more deeply the motivation of student volunteers joining an environmental community and to formulate an effective voluntary system for students focusing on synergizing personal and community goals. This study involved 20 student registrars of the local community concerning Circular Economy (CE) implementation in sub-urban areas. The findings reveal that the three highest motivations for student volunteers are to gain proper organizational experience, make new friends, and use community activities for other personal benefits. The results of this study place the motivation to save the environment in fifth place out of the seven motivations measured. The findings are then analysed with relevant theories and studies to create an environmental community management concept that is expected to be able to facilitate both the personal goals of the volunteers and the common goals of the community.