Evaluating Consumer Responses TO Augmented Reality Based Environmental Education Tools FOR Promoting Sustainable Lifestyle Choices
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64252/scexr479Keywords:
Augmented reality, Sustainability, consumer behavior, low carbon footprint.Abstract
The growing urgency of climate change necessitates innovative approaches to environmental education, particularly in rapidly urbanizing countries like India. This study explores the effectiveness of Augmented Reality (AR)-based environmental education tools in promoting sustainable lifestyle choices among consumers. The research is grounded in the idea that immersive technologies like AR can enhance environmental awareness by creating engaging, interactive, and visually compelling learning experiences. The study addresses three core research questions: (1) the impact of AR-based environmental education on sustainable consumption, (2) the influence of environmental awareness on lifestyle choices, and (3) the role of demographic and psychographic factors in predicting sustainable behavioral intentions.
Conducted in two phases, the study first interacted with the participants to apprise them about environmental awareness, followed by hands-on interaction with selected AR apps such as Google Arts & Culture, Earth Hero, Eco Lens, and Go Jauntly. Data from 213 respondents was collected through a survey and analyzed using SPSS version 24.. The results revealed that AR-based tools positively affect environmental knowledge, emotional engagement, and intentions to adopt sustainable lifestyle choices. Younger, tech-savvy individuals showed higher engagement, while demographic and psychographic differences significantly influenced technology acceptance and behavioral outcomes.
The study contributes to the limited but emerging body of literature on AR in environmental education, especially within the Indian context. It highlights the need for customized, accessible AR experiences to foster sustainability at the individual level. The findings offer practical implications for educators, policymakers, and app developers aiming to drive climate-conscious behavior through immersive technology.
