Sustainable development, renewable energy and environment awareness-an overview

This aim of the paper is to demonstrate the importance of environmental awareness among the people, particularly in a Metropolitan City like Mumbai which is prone to chronic respiratory problems, arising due to extreme air pollution by industries, garbage burning and inadequate control over emission levels from vehicles. Hence, today, additional responsibility lies with the younger generation, to resist further damage to existing ecosystem and implement various remedial measures to restore the ecosystem which is likely to help in improving the life of future generations. In view of the same, environmental awareness survey was conducted. Based on rank order analysis, it was perceived that “Ability to Act” was the most important element for environmentally responsible consumers and as per independent sample “t” test, both genders have given more weightage to the same. There was no significant difference among the genders, on six dimensions such as opinion, belief, awareness, attitude, action taken and ability to act, except “willingness” criterian of Ecoscale. Post hoc analysis indicates that on the criteria of opinion, willingness and knowledge, a significant difference existed between undergraduates and post graduates. On the criteria of opinion, willingness, ability to act and knowledge, significant difference was observed between 15–35 and age group of more than 55 years, between nil income and income upto Rs. 25 Lakhs. On the criteria of opinion, awareness, willingness and attitude, significant difference was observed between student and employed groups.