A Bottom Up Approach to Sustainable Living: Can Informed Kids Inform their Parents?

The main research question is whether creating environmental awareness about sustainable lifestyles among preschool kids can influence behaviour at the household level. For instance, can children convince their parents and guardians within the household to engage in environmentally sustainable behaviour based on what they learn in school.

In essence, this study will also allow us to investigate if a reverse transmission of learning happens from children to their parents, as opposed to vice-versa. If such a channel indeed exists, this would provide a low-cost solution to create environmental consciousness to policymakers and governments as creating awareness at younger ages is relatively easier, and running campaigns in schools reaching out to large groups of kids is more cost-effective than reaching each and every household individually.

The primary aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention targeted at young children in reducing the use of single-use plastic products. Specifically, the study seeks to determine whether providing children with environmental education and promoting sustainable alternatives can significantly reduce their consumption of single-use plastics through their influence on their parent's behaviour.

The study's foremost significance lies in its potential to contribute to the reduction of single-use plastic pollution. By addressing this issue at an early age, we have the opportunity to create environmentally conscious citizens who will make sustainable choices throughout their lives. This, in turn, can have a lasting positive impact on the environment, reducing plastic waste, pollution, and its associated ecological and health risks. The study can shed light on the effectiveness of educational interventions in inducing behavioural change, particularly among young children. Understanding how educational programs can influence the choices and behaviours of this demographic can have broader implications for environmental education and awareness campaigns.

Reduced plastic pollution has direct and indirect benefits for human health. It can help mitigate the health risks associated with exposure to microplastics and the toxic chemicals that plastics can leach into the environment. The economic costs of single-use plastic pollution, such as waste management and environmental damage, are substantial. By reducing the consumption of single-use plastics, this study may lead to long-term cost savings for communities and governments. This study can also inform the development of evidence-based policies and educational strategies to combat single-use plastic pollution. It can provide insights into the most effective methods for teaching young children about environmental responsibility and behaviour change.

Single-use plastic pollution is a global issue affecting countries across the world. The findings of this study can have global relevance and serve as a model for similar interventions and research in different regions.

In summary, the significance of this study lies in its potential to mitigate the environmental and economic impacts of single-use plastic pollution by targeting young children through educational interventions. It represents a proactive step in promoting sustainable behaviours, shaping future generations, and contributing to a more environmentally responsible and conscious society.

2024-02-01

2024-04-30

Usage of Single Use Plastic Bags

The proposed project will be carried out in a resource-poor setting in India, potentially in some rural districts in Uttar Pradesh, around Lucknow and Bakshi ka Talaav.

We propose to use a randomized control trial (RCT) design to perform our analysis. This will essentially be a field experiment where our sample would include 1000 student-parent pairs (10 each from about 100 Anganwadi schools). We will randomly assign 40 schools (and hence about 400 students) to the control condition where we will not make any intervention. This control group will enable benchmark comparisons to get causal estimates of our proposed treatments. The remaining 60 schools will be randomly assigned to either of two treatment arms (300 students in each treatment arm). The treatment arms are described below:
T1 (information arm): We will provide detailed information on the harmful effects of using plastic/polythene shopping bags, which can cause environmental hazards. We propose to hold multiple 30-minute sessions teaching these students about the perils of disposing of such shopping bags and the associated environmental costs.

T2 (information + transfer arm): We will repeat the T1, but in addition to it, make an in-kind transfer. We will provide the kids with a set of environment-friendly shopping bags (such as jute bags), which they could use as alternatives to the more commonly used plastic/polythene bags.

Our estimation will depend on first establishing a balance between the treated and control groups across various observed characteristics. To achieve this, we will have a baseline survey before conducting the intervention. Post-intervention, we will reach out to these children again (possibly in about a month's time) to measure self-reported outcomes such as the frequency of using plastic shopping bags, etc. The regression specification will be based on simple Ordinary Least Squares and will compare the T1 and T2 treatments relative to the Control group and measure the impact of these treatments on the take-up and use of plastic shopping bags.

Not available

Using random number generator on STATA.

Gram Panchayats

Yes

55 Gram Panchayats with 1 urban and 1 rural Anganwadi Centres (AWC) each.

In all 110 such pre-schools or AWCs. Roughly about 10 students per school. So proposed number of observations should be around 1100 per round.

12 schools in treatment arm 1, 12 schools in treatment arm 2, 31 schools in control group.