What is that thing called climate change? An investigation into the understanding of climate change by seventh-grade students

Abstract

This paper presents findings from research on students' general environmental concerns, experiences, beliefs, attitudes, worldviews, values, and actions relating to climate change. Data was gathered from a sample of 646 seventh-grade students. The findings indicate that students identify climate change as a consequence of modern life. They consider the issue personally important but they also state that there is nothing they can do about the issue. Since they identify their primary sources of information as media and education, climate change should be addressed in national curricula as well as on media to provide an accurate understanding and awareness.