PPIM UIN Jakarta Research: Generation Z Cares More About the Environment Than Other Generations

Aula Madya 1st Floor FISIP, UIN News Online - The question of whether gender and generational differences in knowledge, attitudes, and behavior have an impact on their concern in responding to environmental issues surfaced at the 50th Seminar Series of UIN Jakarta's Center for the Study of Islam and Society (PPIM) entitled “What's wrong with the Environment? Gender and Generation Analysis”, in the Madya Hall, 1st floor of FISIP UIN Jakarta, Monday (28/10/2024). The 50th Series presented PPIM Researchers, Aptiani Nurjannah and Grace Rachmanda, UIN Jakarta Sociology Lecturer, Dr. Ida Rosyidah M.A., and CO-Founder of Trash Ranger Indonesia, Putri Melta Sari.

Aptiani Nurjannah said that 78.5 percent of Generation Z is more literate on environmental issues than other generations. This is based on PPIM's findings through a national survey (2024) on respondents from four generations, namely the Baby Boomers, X, Millennial, and Z generations. This happens, continued Aptiani, because generation Z has easier access to information through technology.

Specifically, based on knowledge indicators related to energy transition and climate change, the research found that men have higher knowledge of environmental issues than women. According to the PPIM researcher, this is due to the education gap between men and women.

However, in the pro-environment indicator, which is differentiated based on public and private space issues, it is found that women are more pro-environment at the individual or private level. Such as bringing tumblers, non-disposable food containers and straws.

Furthermore, Grace Rachmanda added that in general all generations believe that 80 percent of the climate crisis has occurred. However, there are differences of opinion between generations regarding the cause. The Baby Boomers generation believes that nature is the cause, while Generation Z believes that the climate crisis is caused by mankind.

Sociology lecturer at UIN Jakarta, Dr. Ida Rosyidah, responded to the PPIM findings. According to Ida, the reason knowledge of environmental issues is dominated by men is because more men control social media. She cited data from We Are Social (2024) which states that 46.5 percent of social media users in Indonesia are women, while men are 53.5 percent.

In addition, the Sociology lecturer also elaborated on the causes of women's partiality for the environment in the private sphere, not the public. Sociologically, according to Ida, this happens because of the institutionalization of stereotypes that have consequences for the marginalization of women. In addition, there is a strict division of labor constructed by patriarchal culture. Meanwhile, culturally, women lack confidence in the public sphere because the existing socialization institutionalizes gender inequality.

Borrowing Vandana Shiva's ecofeminism approach, Ida explained that the collaboration of the patriarchal system and capitalism has created injustice for both women and the environment. Furthermore, Ida said, women and nature are not only equally marginalized, but also distributive injustice in the wage distribution system, while nature that has no added value will be ignored because it is unproductive.

Surprisingly, high knowledge of environmental issues, continued Ida, is inversely proportional to actions in the field. She believes that this is due to many factors, some of which are because generation Z tends to be pragmatic, not ideological, and likes instant things.

Responding to this, Putri Melta Sari said, there are many easy children who are not only literate on issues but also go to the field. She gave an example of community empowerment activities in Prabumulih, South Sumatra related to waste recycling advocated by Trash Ranger Indonesia, which she leads. Melta believes that Generation Z can do more than the current generation by spreading environmental awareness, mobilizing the masses and using technology.

Watch the full story at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/CAbxx99kwFM?si=N-rsQYtKxstHYXH4

(Aji Pangestu/Fauziah M./Dzihan Aufa Kilmi Firdausi/Photo: PPIM UIN Jakarta Live Streaming Video)