Truck drivers’ environmental and energy literacy at Chirundu border post: an attitudes and exploratory analysis

Abstract

Social and behavioral research is crucial for securing environmental sustainability and improving human living environments. There is a growing awareness to the role that natural resources such as water, fuel, land, forests, and environmental amenities play in our lives. There are many competing uses for natural resources, and society is challenged to manage them for improving social well-being. The main objective of this study was to explore driver attitudes about energy and the environment as a basis for modelling behaviour and educational programs to encourage truck drivers to reduce engine idling as a way to cut down on diesel emissions and fuel consumption. It has proven difficult, however, to target education and outreach to truck drivers, partially because little is known about them. Based on interview survey of 31 drivers who were randomly sampled, the link between drivers’ environmental and energy attitudes and their adoption of idle-reduction measures were examined. The results of this survey on the environment show that truck drivers attach great value to the environment and are increasingly aware of the role that the environment plays in their lives. The environment has an indisputable importance in the lives of citizens. However, their green attitudes do not always translate into environmentally friendly behaviour and concrete actions. Therefore the main challenge revealed by this survey appears to be how to better inform truck drivers about environmental issues and encourage them to act on their environmental convictions. The study recommends some form of environmental education and education for sustainable development (ESD) that may help truck drivers acquire knowledge that promotes behavioral change towards environmental citizenship. Key words: environment, energy, literacy, education, knowledge, conservation