The Influence of Young People on Household Decisions on Energy Efficiency in Latvia

Author:

Brakovska Vita1,Blumberga Andra1

Affiliation:

1. Institute of Energy Systems and Environment , Riga Technical University , Āzenes street 12/1 , Riga , , Latvia

Abstract

Abstract Young people are the future members of the energy communities, who play a role in shaping a climate-responsible society. However, in the context of the geopolitical and economic events of 2022, the awareness of young people in Latvia about energy efficiency issues and the readiness to engage in climate change mitigation processes, as well as the influence of their attitude on the decisions of adult household members in the field of energy efficiency have not been sufficiently studied. The issue is crucial within the framework of the European Green Deal, where various serious games for building energy communities are being developed, and young people are the ones who can influence the decision-making process. The purpose of the study is to provide serious game developers with an insight into young people's knowledge of energy efficiency issues, associations with a climate responsible society, attitudes towards daily habits in the field of energy efficiency, as well as whether climate change issues are discussed in families and whether young people believe that they can influence views and habits of their family members. 71 participants from four contrasting geographical regions in Latvia took part in the study. The study was conducted using qualitative research methods, including questionnaires and interviews. The results have shown that young people in the regions of Latvia are aware of energy efficiency measures, and the answers provide an insight into the various experiences they have had in their households. The research also highlighted negative aspects, such as young people’s unwillingness to strongly support household comfort level reduction in the name of climate change – only a little more than half would be willing to live in cooler rooms. Young people believe that they can influence the attitude and behaviour of other household members in an energy resource management matter. The results of the study lead to the conclusion that more attention should be paid to messages addressed to young people in public spaces, so that they associate themselves as an existing and future part of energy communities. They should be given examples and explanations regarding the importance of their actions in reducing climate change. Developers of serious games are encouraged to integrate aspects related to youth as participants in decision-making into the content of simulation tools, based on the results of the study.

Publisher

Walter de Gruyter GmbH

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3