Social Media: An Adult Education Approach for Improving the Environmental Awareness of Timber Merchants in Udenu, Enugu State

Abstract

Environmental awareness is very important for resolving the challenges facing the environment. This study assessed the extent to which social media as an adult education approach could improve the environmental awareness of timber merchants. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. The respondents of the study consist of 357 registered timber merchants in the study area. The data collected for the study was analyzed using percentage rating and mean score. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The instrument was validated by three experts. Reliability co-efficient of 0.85 was obtained for the instrument. The findings, among others, were that, 85% of the timber merchants in Udenu, Enugu State made use of social media sites especially Facebook and Whatsapp; hence, social media provides opportunity for timber merchants to share ideas on environmental issues through online group discussions. The study concluded that social media could be used to promote environmental awareness on the dangers of negative environmental practices such as deforestation and improper dumping of wastes. These enable members of the society to conveniently participate and respond to information posted in relation to environmental issues.