How Deep Do Know on Climate Change? A Report from Java^ Primary School Students
Cucun Sutinah (a*), Ari Widodo (b), Muslim (c)

Program Studi Doktoral Pendidikan Dasar, Sekolah Pascasarjana, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia

Abstract

Climate change with its increasingly visible symptoms is a global issue that must be immediately responded to by the community. Responding to climate change requires awareness of climate change issues based on a correct understanding of climate change, from symptoms to impacts. Due to its complexity, the issue of climate change needs to be realized and understood by all levels of society, including elementary school students. This study aims to describe the knowledge of elementary school students related to climate change. The method used is descriptive quantitative. The instrument used is a questionnaire using a Likert scale (1-4). A total of 1,410 elementary school students in grades 4-6 from several regions on the Island of Java participated in filling out a questionnaire distributed online. Knowledge data related to climate change were analyzed descriptively. The findings show that, on average, students have limited knowledge and misconceptions about climate change. A minimal view is shown in knowledge about the causes, symptoms, effects, and efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The implications of the research findings suggest the importance of explicit learning related to climate change starting at the elementary school level.

Keywords: Climate Change- Awareness- Knowledge

Topic: ESD in Science Education