What students know about climate change? a case study of high school students in Samboja, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Indonesia is among the top 10 highest countries in the world producing huge amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) to the atmosphere. However, climate change including its impacts might not be understandable by public in Indonesia. This is because climate change is not a crucial issue in this developing country. Education can play important roles in supporting national policies in reducing GHG in Indonesia by communicating climate change and in raising environmental awareness among people including students in schools. This study aims to determine high school students’ perceptions about climate change, to provide insights for curriculum planning to combat climate change. Furthermore, this study can also provide some strategies to the government changes by improving formal education in combating climate change. This study is conducted in the 6 selected high schools in Samboja district, Kutai Kartanegara regency, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia. Data collection was conducted from February to March 2017. Primary data is collected by using questionnaires, which are distributed to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade students in each selected high schools. In total there are 360 students participating in this study. Results shows that majority of students in this study have heard about climate change, however their answer are inconsistent. This indicates that these students do not fully understand about climate change. Furthermore, students also do not know about the main causes of climate change. In conclusion, climate change issues need to be elaborated in science curriculum. It is suggested that the government should introduce policies in education sectors to inform about climate change.