Nurin Fitriana, Wayan Dasna, Munzil Munzil, Yudhi Utomo, Sri Rahayu, Habiddin Habiddin, Kriesna Kharisma Purwanto, Any Ikawati
This study aims to analyze the mediating role of local wisdom integration and attitudes toward ethnoscience-based learning in linking cultural sustainability awareness with pro-environmental behavior among university students in East Java. Employing an explanatory quantitative approach, the study involved 215 respondents from three universities that have implemented ethnoscience-based environmental education. Data were collected through the validated and reliable PEACE- Q questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted by examining both direct and indirect correlations among the variables using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM): Cultural Sustainability Awareness (CSA), Local Wisdom Integration in Learning (LWI), Attitude toward Ethnoscience-Based Environmental Learning (ATEEL), and Pro-Environmental Behavior (PEB). The results revealed that CSA had a significant influence on both LWI (β = 0.832) and ATEEL (β = 0.711), while LWI positively affected ATEEL (β = 0.220) and PEB (β = 0.220). Interestingly, the direct effect of CSA on PEB was negative (β = -0.108), indicating that local wisdom integration serves as the primary mediator in shaping pro-environmental behavior. The model accounted for 78.9% of the variability in pro-environmental behavior and 69.3% in local wisdom integration, and it demonstrated high instrument validity and reliability. These findings emphasize the importance of strengthening local cultural values and applying ethnoscience approaches in environmental education to bridge the gap between knowledge and actual student actions. Theoretically, this study enriches culturally based pro-environmental behavior mediation models, while practically it provides a foundation for developing contextual and relevant higher education curricula. The key takeaway from this study is that incorporating local knowledge into university curricula can foster students’ connection to their heritage and equip them with the tools needed to become advocates for environmental sustainability. © Copyright (c) 2025 The Authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Malang State University, East Java, Indonesia; Faculty of Engineering, Wisnuwardhana University, East Java, Indonesia; Department of Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Malang State University, East Java, Indonesia; Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Billfath University, East Java, Indonesia; Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Wisnuwardhana University, East Java, Indonesia
