DOI: 10.14686/buefad.1346851 ISSN:

The Climate Literacy Levels of Secondary School Students and Their Opinions on Climate Change

Mehmet ÜNAL
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In Turkey, among the countries that are highly sensitive and at risk of climate change on a global scale, it is estimated that the annual temperature will increase throughout the country until 2100. Temperature increases may reach up to 60 °C in some regions. Against this risk, opportunities to develop climate literacy on climate change, its impacts, and solutions exist, especially in schools. In this framework, the study intends to investigate the climate literacy levels of secondary school students in terms of some variables and to disclose their opinions regarding climate change. As a result of the analysis of the data collected with the data collection tools in the study in which the survey design was applied, it was revealed that the students' climate literacy levels were not at the desired level, particularly in the "climate awareness" dimension, which includes items related to reducing the effects of climate change and taking action. Nevertheless, another significant result is that some students tend to put behaviors and actions that are not environmentally friendly and aimed at reducing climate change on the back burner owing to financial problems, such as economic concerns and unemployment. The most important solution for ecological sustainability and climate action is to make legal arrangements and to produce national education solutions through government incentives and support.

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