Ecological literacy of one of the competencies of a 21 century citizen

Abstract

The current environmental situation requires a certain amount of knowledge of ecology in an individual regardless of their professional sphere as this information becomes an integral part of both professional and personal day-to-day life. The state of ecology requires help and support from humanity. Therefore, ecological literacy becomes one of the most demanded competencies for a person living in the 21 century. This concept is closely connected to ecological culture and ecological awareness and utilizes the psychological willingness of a modern person to behave according to concepts of ecological literacy. The knowledge of ecology positively affects waste management and reduces risks for nature posed by waste pollution and human activities. Therefore, the conducted research aims to examine the ecological literacy rate in the population of Russia overall and particularly concerning the issues of separate waste collection. The authors identify the reasons for reluctance to perform separate waste collection and suggest measures to stimulate it in the Russian Federation. The paper provides a review of a range of sociological surveys dedicated to separate waste collection and the state of the environment in Russia. The authors suggest a range of possible solutions for the issue at hand.