Union County Review

Kean University students' opinions on climate change education have been revealed through a survey conducted by university researchers. The preliminary findings suggest that students feel high schools should do a better job of educating them on climate change and its environmental impact.

The research project, led by Assistant Professor Karen Woodruff, Ph.D., and Professor Daniela Shebitz, Ph.D., aims to measure students' understanding of climate change. Shebitz emphasized the survey's purpose, stating, "The idea of the survey is to see how our students consider climate change, understand the causes and consequences of our changing climate on a local and global scale, and take actions to lower their environmental impact."

Over 875 students have participated in the survey, with the researchers aiming to reach 1,000 respondents. The survey, based on one from Yale University, covers topics such as global warming, sustainability, policy changes, and individual actions to combat climate change. The findings will be used to shape future initiatives on campus and beyond.

Preliminary results indicate that Kean students are more likely than others to believe in global warming and human causation. Kean students expressed a desire for better climate change education in high schools, despite having learned about the topic previously.

Rick Esner, a Kean graduate student involved in the project, highlighted the importance of sustainability education across all fields. He stated, "I think it is possible for all careers and fields to prioritize sustainability in the work that they do."

The survey is part of a broader initiative to integrate climate change education into K-12 schools in New Jersey. A workshop at Kean on April 19 will target K-12 teachers, with the aim of enhancing climate change education in school curricula.

Woodruff emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of climate change education, stating, "Climate change is the most interdisciplinary context for learning the content we teach students in school." Shebitz echoed this sentiment, expressing excitement about merging education and science disciplines to effectively communicate the complexity of climate change.