Student perceptions

Continuing from the Climate Outreach Study, here are some of the findings from workshops with Alberta students on energy and climate change.

• When adequate education is missing, students develop negative narratives about energy and climate change and literacy on these subjects is missing.

• They feel overwhelmed by the issues

• They are more than happy to talk about it. There was enthusiasm to take part in the workshops

• They value their provincial natural environment

• They want to know more about the connections between energy and climate change - but in a way that is action oriented so that they can make a difference.

• They see effects in their own local communities and this can be used as an opportunity for education

• Many of the words used around climate change - like pollution, waste, climate, energy were used in an imprecise way. These contribute to confusion.

• Younger kids focused more on nature’ older ones were more aware of social and political issues.

• Not surprisingly, older students were far more concerned about their future.

• Most students obtained their information from social media. The study notes that the impression from these sources are often “Dystopian” and “Catastrophic” accounting for an increase level of anxiety.

• Older students are more aware of debate and disagreements on these matters ranging from households to local, provincial and national levels.