Do South African and Dutch biology students have different views on nature?

Abstract

Lecturing on nature conservancy at Amsterdam and Stellenbosch offered the possibility to investigate if biology students in different countries and cultures have different views on nature and nature conservation. The results of a short questionnaire show a similar broad attitude towards nature and nature conservation in both university student groups. They all want action with respect to global problems (global warming/climate change). But next to that there are also typical national problems like Dutch fisheries discussions and South African eradication of alien species and more attention for water and soil pollution. Moreover, there was a shared interest in more social aspects of nature conservation (education, awareness/consciousness, population growth). A major bias is that the answers express the views of well educated, white people. Extension to young people of other cultural background is needed. So feel free to ask for the questionnaire.