What do they know? Is Climate Change Education Necessary in Primary Schools in Serbia

Igor Leščešen; Biljana  Basarin; Miroslav Vujičić

doi:10.5937/gp28-48045

Igor Leščešen Climatology and Hydrology Research Center, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Biljana Basarin University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of geography, tourism and hotel management https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2546-3728
Miroslav Vujičić University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of geography, tourism and hotel management https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0003-7869

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/gp28-48045

Keywords: Climate Change, Education, Geography, Serbia

Abstract

Climate change is a global crisis exacerbated by human activity and a matter of urgent con- cern. There is a significant knowledge gap among primary school students in Serbia, as the topic of climate change is barely covered in the curriculum. This study examines their aware- ness, knowledge and attitudes. Of the participants, 96.6% are aware of climate change,

but their knowledge and attitudes vary considerably. Some 80.10% expect climate change to have a significant impact on humans through floods (90%), droughts and tempera-
ture increases (85% each). Further results show that schools are a key source of information (35.10%), followed by television (30.10%) and the internet (14.90%). In summary, this study highlights the need for comprehensive, multidisciplinary climate education to address dif- ferent levels of awareness, encourage informed and proactive responses and engage young voices in discussions about climate change.

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