Abstract:
Environmental degradation due to various human activities causes global warming that results in climatic changes. Burning of fossil fuels for generation of energy is a major cause of environmental degradation. Energy shortages and energy prices are burning issues in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it was attempted to explore the attitudes of community in higher education institutes towards the energy conservation, which help to reduce environmental burden associated with energy utilization. All the members of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna were interviewed. A questionnaire survey and informal discussions were conducted to gather the information regarding their attitudes towards the present status of the energy conservation practices of the Faculty. Majority of the Faculty community agreed that there is a correlation between energy conservation and environmental pollution. Ninety three percent of respondents concerned about energy conservation. Out of those, 24 % respondents use sunlight as far as possible for light and drying of cloths while 28 % use energy efficient electrical instruments. Forty eight percent of respondents commented that they helped to conserve energy by switching off the bulbs and electrical instruments when they are not in use in the Faculty and home. Most of the members (70 %) use energy saving bulbs at their homes. Over ten places of water wastages had been observed by 21 % of respondents while 31 % reveled that they noticed 2 - 5 places. Printing both sides of t!Je papers helps to conserve resources which indirectly conserve the energy. Sixty one percent used both sides of papers for printing. Many believed that the current energy conservation practices in the Faculty are not effective to conserve energy wastages. The results of the current study showed that a strong awareness program can play a leading role in the process of implementing the energy conservation strategies in the Faculty with the participation of all stake holders. It can be concluded that energy conservation strategies can be successfully introduced to higher education institutes in Sri Lanka.
