Assessment of Environmental Literacy among Malayer University Students Using Multi-Criteria Decision Making Models

Environmental literacy is the ability to understand the natural systems that make our lives on planet possible, so in an environmentally literate society, there is a sustainable society that knows that its life depends on the environment. In this study, the level of environmental education (knowledge, attitude and practice) of students of Malayer University regarding different aspects of the environment was evaluated.

The method of this research is applied in terms of purpose and in terms of data collection is descriptive-survey research. The statistical population of all students is studying in the second semester of 2016 -2017. In 7 faculties of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Basic Sciences, Engineering, Literature and Humanities, Mathematics and Statistics, Agriculture, Civil Engineering and Architecture Studying. The importance and prioritization of environmental literacy indices were investigated using the hierarchical analysis decision making model.

Based on the results of students' knowledge and attitude about the environment, they are at a relatively good level but it's not the same in faculties. The highest level of knowledge was in the students of the Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences and then at the Faculty of Agriculture. Then, the importance and prioritization of environmental literacy indicators were studied. To this end, a hierarchical analysis decision making model was used. Based on the results of the three main criteria of knowledge, attitude and practice, the highest priority was the knowledge standard with a weight of 0.69. Also, the performance criterion with weight of 0.23 and attitude with weight of 0.07 respectively had second and third priorities in terms of students.

Among the three criteria of knowledge, attitude and practice of knowledge criterion are the most important. Raising the weight of students' environmental knowledge and understanding of environmental degradation factors and understanding which factors are most threatening the environment in today's society are promising for having a healthy environment and achieving sustainable development. Also, the result is that students in the environmental sciences have a better understanding of the environment and related issues, Emphasizes the need to incorporate efficient environmental education throughout higher education institutions. Therefore, universities can increase the level of environmental education of the students in the training of human resources specialists and responsible for the environment to take effective steps to research the goals of sustainable development