Am I Ecologically Literate for a Sustainable World?

Individuals who comprehend the principles and boundaries of ecological systems, apply this knowledge to the development of sustainable communities, and aim to live in harmony with nature are considered ecologically literate. Therefore, in the initial stage, identifying students’ existing levels of ecological literacy in order to foster awareness and consciousness plays a significant role in determining the subsequent steps to be taken based on the current situation. In this study, the ecological literacy levels of middle school students are examined in relation to various variables. The research was conducted using the survey model, one of the quantitative research methods. The sample group was determined through convenience sampling and consists of a total of 701 students enrolled in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 at five public middle schools located in the western region of Türkiye during the 2024–2025 academic year. In the study, the “Ecological Literacy Attitude Scale” was used as the data collection instrument. The findings revealed that female students were more ecologically literate than male students. It was also determined that students whose parents had higher levels of education exhibited greater ecological literacy. Furthermore, students who had heard of the concept of ecological literacy and those who showed interest in ecological issues were found to be more ecologically literate compared to their peers. Within this framework, the ecological literacy levels of a specific group were identified according to their demographic characteristics.