Abstract:

The aim of this research was to determine the knowledge and perceptions of high school students about global warming and climate change. The study used a cross-sectional survey model. The data of the research were collected using the “Global Warming and Climate Change Knowledge and Perception Scale”. The sample of the research consisted of 688 students studying in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades of high schools. The study observed that students defined climate change mostly as the deterioration of natural balance, global warming, and the change of seasons. Students listed the most important causes of climate change as air pollution, increase in greenhouse gases, increase in factories and workshops, depletion of the ozone layer, and deforestation. Students believe that the effects of climate change can be reduced by keeping the environment clean, planting trees, protecting nature, and purchasing environmentally friendly products. The results further highlighted that the information sources of the students about climate change were mostly the internet, TV-Radio and scientific studies. The results concluded that the students did not perceive global warming and climate change as a natural process, but as a human-induced threat that may negatively affect people in the future. The study determined that the students' perceptions of global warming and climate change differed significantly according to the variables of gender, class, and school type. As a result of the research, the researchers suggest that global warming and climate change should be included in the curriculum more broadly, should be taught as a separate course if possible, and various activities should be regularly included in schools in order to raise awareness among students.

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