Abstract:

In the era of digital communication, social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have become essential for disseminating information and fostering discussions around critical issues such as sustainability and education. This study explores the intersection of these two vital topics by analyzing Twitter data from January 13, 2015, to March 30, 2023. A total of 38,494 tweets containing both "sustainability" and "education" were collected and analyzed to understand the dynamics and trends within this discourse community. The dataset was then subjected to a detailed content analysis to identify key themes, trends, and communities within the conversation. The analysis revealed several distinct communities within the Twitter discourse on sustainability and education, each characterized by unique thematic focuses. These communities were identified based on the most frequently occurring words, as illustrated in the provided figures. The "Sustainability Education Community," reflects a strong focus on educating students about sustainability practices and environmental stewardship. The "Conference and Awards Community" centers around events, recognitions, and opportunities for engagement in sustainability education. The "Climate Change Advocacy Community" highlights discussions on climate change and the need for educational initiatives to address it. The "Global Goals and Policy Community" indicates a strong alignment with international policy frameworks and sustainable development goals (SDGs). The "Nature and Wildlife Education Community" emphasizes the importance of educating about natural ecosystems and wildlife conservation. The "Agriculture and Food Education Community" focuses on agricultural education and the promotion of sustainable farming practices. The "Technology in Sustainability Education Community" discusses the role of technological advancements in promoting sustainability education. The "Green Schools Movement Community" promotes the development and implementation of sustainable practices in educational institutions. The "Recycling and Waste Management Education Community" focuses on educational efforts related to waste reduction and recycling. The "Business and Leadership Education Community" indicates a focus on integrating sustainability into business education and leadership training. Additionally, analysis of significant terms highlights the most significant terms within the dataset, such as "school," "environment," "sustainable," "learn," "climatechange," and "innovation," providing further insights into the dominant themes in the Twitter discourse on sustainability and education. The findings from this study underscore the diverse and multifaceted nature of the Twitter discourse on sustainability and education. By identifying key communities and their thematic focuses, this research provides valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and advocates aiming to enhance sustainability education through social media platforms. The significant terms identified also suggest areas of potential growth and engagement for future educational initiatives. This study demonstrates the power of social media analytics in uncovering trends and facilitating a deeper understanding of critical global issues. The identified communities and key terms can guide the development of targeted educational strategies and foster more effective communication and collaboration within the sustainability education domain.

Keywords:

Sustainability, Education, Social media analysis, Environment, Climate change.