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Two Worldviews, One Planet: U.S. Public Views on Climate Change Education in a Time of Political Polarization

Pizmony-Levy, Oren

Scientists and the international community agree: Climate change is a defining issue of our time and we are at a defining moment. Despite the importance of education in climate mitigation and adaptation, research into how the general public view teaching about climate change is relatively limited. This research brief begins to address this gap by examining Americans' views of teaching about climate change in primary and secondary schools and variation across socio-demographic groups and other relevant attitudes. A majority of Americans support teaching about climate change in primary and secondary schools. The level of support, however, varies by key demographics (e.g., race/ethnicity, education attainment, income, and community type) and political ideology. Moreover, support for teaching about climate change is high among Americans who prioritize environmental protection, endorse the scientific consensus about the causes of climate change, and are already concerned about the topic. With this clear and robust signal from the public, policymakers and frontline educators should continue with efforts to improve and enhance CCE in the United States.

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More About This Work

Academic Units
International and Comparative Education
Published Here
March 27, 2023

Notes