Weekly Learning Log
Student Name: Son Luong Week #: 7
Select one of the required readings, faculty lectures, or videos focused on the big-picture problem or one
of the three academic disciplines. (Of course, you are expected to complete all assignments, and you may
choose to apply the Weekly Log format and questions for your own personal use with the assignments
you don’t select for your Log).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not choose content from the systems-thinking or design-thinking curricular
materials - materials you’re completing prior to each week’s midweek live session - as the subject of your
weekly log entry. You will be actively engaging with those materials through other course assignments.
Title of Resource: Impact of Environmental Knowledge, Past Sustainable Behavior, and
Perceived Consumer Effectiveness on Sustainable Consumption Behavior (2024, Pardeshi, V.,
Pardeshi, H., & Khanna, V. T.)
What are the two most important (empirical) facts or findings you have learned through this
lecture or reading? Why are these facts or findings significant? How do they contribute to your
understanding of the issue?
The study found that consumers with higher environmental knowledge are significantly more
likely to adopt sustainable consumption habits. However, a strong “intention-action gap” still
exists, as many consumers who express concern for the environment do not consistently act on
it. These findings are important because they show that awareness alone is not enough; people
must believe their individual actions matter. This insight deepens my understanding of why food
waste reduction campaigns often fail without emphasizing personal impact and convenience.
What is a core concept or a theory that you have learned through this lecture or reading? Why
is this concept or theory significant?
The reading introduced the concept of Perceived Consumer Effectiveness (PCE): the belief that
one’s choices can make a difference. This is significant because it links psychology and
sustainability: if individuals feel powerless, they are less likely to change behavior, even if they
understand the consequences. PCE provides a framework for designing solutions that empower
people to see the real results of sustainable choices, such as reduced waste or visible
community impact.
What is one fact, idea, theory, or concept that you found most interesting from this lecture or
reading? Why do you find it compelling?
I found the idea that past sustainable behavior reinforces future actions most compelling. When
consumers experience success in one sustainable habit (like reducing plastic use), they are more
confident in trying others. This behavioral reinforcement can guide how restaurants and
vendors encourage ongoing waste reduction by rewarding small and visible achievements.
What insight(s) have you gained from this resource that are particularly relevant to your team’s
problem space? How might the insight(s) inform your and your team’s development and
refinement of your problem statement and your understanding of stakeholders and their needs,
or other work related to your project?
The insight that belief in personal impact drives sustainable behavior is directly relevant to our
project on food waste. For vendors and consumers to compost or plan meals effectively, they
must feel that their actions matter to the broader environment. Therefore, our solution designs
should include visible feedback loops, like signs showing “X kg of waste turned into compost,”to
strengthen their sense of contribution and responsibility.
What is one question that you have after this lecture or reading?
→ How can policymakers and small businesses bridge the gap between environmental
awareness and real behavioral change in developing countries where profit and convenience
dominate consumer decisions?
What other observations or questions, if any, do you have about this lecture or reading?
This reading reinforced the idea that sustainability cannot rely on moral appeals alone; rather, it
must integrate economics, convenience, and recognition to sustain engagement. Understanding
behavioral drivers like perceived control and feedback can help design practical, scalable
environmental solutions.
For Weeks 4, 6, and 8 only: Please include a systems map, visually representing your learning from
the relevant academic disciplinary module. Embed a screenshot or image of your system's map below.