Teachers\u27 Understanding and Preparedness on Global Climate Change and Its Related Risks

Teachers\u27 awareness and preparedness on environmental issues, such as climate change, are vital for the development of an understanding on a larger scale, especially when young children are considered. This study examines secondary science teachers\u27 understanding of climate change in the global context and their preparedness on its related risks. A questionnaire survey adopted from Evaluation of PBS Teachers Line\u27s Global Climate Change Education Professional Development and SEERISK project by the South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme was administered to test teachers\u27 knowledge of the science of climate change, including causes and effects, evidence for global climate change and factors that are needed to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The survey also examines sense of safety and preparedness to natural hazards, source of information and communication. Findings indicated that teachers understand climate change. Yet, a very low 26.8% mean percentage score is observed for questions under consequences of human influence on climate change. Most teachers are not able to determine precisely whether they are fully prepared for natural disaster. Majority of them feel that they do not get enough information from official sources about the potential hazards and the ways to get prepared for them