Climate Change Awareness among the Teachers of Higher Secondary Schools
Yeshi Dorji
Biodiversity and Land Use Division, National Environment Commission Secretariat, Bhutan.
Chandra Man Rai
College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, Bhutan.
Thukjey Nidup *
Gyalpozhing College of Information Technology, Royal University of Bhutan, Bhutan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Climate change has been a global threat, however, promoting awareness of climate change will reduce its risk. The study analyzed awareness on three aspects of climate change—causes, impacts, and mitigation among 90 teachers from three high schools, selected using stratified random sampling. We identified a total of 15 statements or variables from each of the causes, impacts, and mitigation to study the teacher’s awareness of climate change. We found that teachers have a medium level of awareness, being more aware of impacts than causes and mitigation of climate change. Three factors– teaching field, education level, and seminar attendance have significantly influenced the teachers’ awareness level on climate change. The result suggests that upgrading education, incorporating environmental studies in educational curriculum, and promoting seminar and workshop on environmental issues increases awareness on climate change.
Keywords: Awareness, climate change, education, teachers, seminar, teaching field