Perceptions of Climate Change education in and out of school: A study with a Year 12 cohort in one secondary school.

McCartney, Rebecca (2021) Perceptions of Climate Change education in and out of school: A study with a Year 12 cohort in one secondary school. [Data Collection]

Abstract

This data explores year 12 students’ perceptions on climate change based on the information they come into contact with. Due to COVID-19 methodology was limited, therefore using a remote questionnaire students were surveyed about where they find information on climate change and what how it makes them feel. The internet and social media appeared to be the most common platforms for finding information, though most students recognised the issue of "fake news" in relation to social media. Students tended to use negative emotive language to describe their feelings towards climate change highlighting the seriousness of the issue. The questionnaire also sought to determine whether students felt empowered by the information they read. Whilst there is some evidence of empowerment amongst some students, particularly in relation to leading localised personal change, the general feeling is one of hopelessness, most students feel there is little point in taking action against climate change when large corporations and governments, in their opinion are doing very little.