Exploring Young Adults’ Lived Experiences of Sustainable Living
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Abstract
Sustainability is a growing concern in environmental and social sciences, emphasizing individual and collective responsibility for ecological well-being. While previous studies have explored behavioral and policy aspects, little is known about how young adults personally interpret and practice sustainability in daily life. This study uses an interpretative phenomenological approach to uncover the meanings young adults assign to sustainable living. Semi-structured interviews with selected participants were thematically analyzed. Findings reveal four central themes: sustainability as a negotiated practice shaped by constraints and values; emotional ambivalence involving pride, guilt, and frustration; sustainability as part of identity construction; and the social environment’s role in shaping actions. Overall, sustainable living among youth emerges as an interpretive and emotionally complex process rather than a simple behavioral choice. The study offers insights into the subjective dimensions of sustainability and implications for fostering meaningful engagement.
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