Barriers and opportunities for climate change education: The case of Dallas-Fort Worth in Texas. Issue 3 (4th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Foss, Ann W.; Ko, Yekang
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental education. Volume 50:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 145
• Page End: 159
• Publication Date: 2019-05-04
• Subjects: climate change -- climate literacy -- extreme weather -- general public -- informal education -- science teachers; Environmental education -- Periodicals; 333.7207
• DOI: 10.1080/00958964.2019.1604479
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0095-8964

Abstract

Abstract: This article reports on a survey of the general public and science teachers in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, to identify major barriers and opportunities for climate change education and action. Respondents were aware of some local risks, some basic climate science, and the need to conserve resources, but they were prone to common misconceptions and skepticism about climate change. Teachers largely supported teaching climate change but reported a lack of training, time, resources, and the absence of climate change in the state curriculum as barriers. Drawing on survey results and international literature, recommended actions to improve formal and informal education on the climate emergency include emphasizing positive messages, focusing on local impacts, and using participatory and active learning.