Youth voice on climate change: using factor analysis to understand the intersection of science, politics, and emotion. Issue 8 (2nd August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zummo, Lynne; Gargroetzi, Emma; Garcia, Antero
• Is Part Of: Environmental education research. Volume 26:Issue 8(2020)
• Page Start: 1207
• Page End: 1226
• Publication Date: 2020-08-02
• Subjects: Climate change -- mixed methods -- youth -- politics -- writing; Environmental education -- Research -- Periodicals; 333.7207
• DOI: 10.1080/13504622.2020.1771288
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-4622

Abstract

Abstract: A complex issue at the intersection of science, emotion, and politics, climate change is on the minds of young people across the globe, as evidenced through worldwide climate strikes. This manuscript presents an analysis of letters written by 350 young people across the US during the 2016 Presidential election season. These letters, submitted through a digital platform called "Letters to the Next President, " demanded public attention to climate change. Using mixed-methods, we identified in these letters three distinct discourses, or ways of discussing climate change: a solution-oriented discourse, a climate politics discourse, and a discourse of doom . These discourses give insight into the types of knowledge and emotions that intersect for youth about climate change, while also demonstrating the politicization of climate change for some youth in the US. We offer research and pedagogical implications, noting the need for educators to consider the politicized contexts that shape climate change learning.