IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v14y2022i24p16618-d1000717.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Climate Change and Environmental Education: Stance from Science Teachers

Author

Listed:
  • Norhafizah Karim

    (Centre for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies (CORE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia)

  • Hidayatulfathi Othman

    (Centre for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies (CORE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia)

  • Zul-‘Izzat Ikhwan Zaini

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Cawangan Pulau Pinang, Kampus Bertam, Kepala Batas 13200, Malaysia)

  • Yanti Rosli

    (Centre for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies (CORE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia)

  • Muhammad Ikram A Wahab

    (Centre for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies (CORE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia)

  • Al Mumin Al Kanta

    (Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agaseh, Lahad Datu 91100, Malaysia)

  • Syamimi Omar

    (Centre for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies (CORE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia)

  • Mazrura Sahani

    (Centre for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies (CORE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia)

Abstract

This study investigated the depth of climate change and environmental education (CCEE) in the current syllabus implemented in Malaysia from the perspectives of teachers, which is an extension to a study entitled ‘Impact of Climate Change on Children: A Malaysian Perspective’. This qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with a pool of teachers selected across Malaysia. Due to the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO), the respondents were chosen purposively via advertisements posted on social media that targeted science teachers who taught Forms 4 or 5 CCEE-related subjects. The interview sessions were conducted online from June to July 2021. The recorded interviews were transcribed, coded, and categorized into themes deductively based on the UNESCO-Education for Sustainable Development for 2030 toolbox. The findings yielded five themes, namely, building the capacities of educators, empowering, and mobilizing youth, accelerating local-level actions, and advancing policy. Most of the teachers perceived that the Secondary School Standards-based Curriculum (KSSM) had improved but that the focus should be on a student-centered approach rather than exam orientation. There was a lack of awareness of climate change and environmental action in the science textbook. In conclusion, a comprehensive curriculum, as well as empowerment among teachers and students in a conducive environment for CCEE can spawn proactive action by Malaysian students.

Suggested Citation

  • Norhafizah Karim & Hidayatulfathi Othman & Zul-‘Izzat Ikhwan Zaini & Yanti Rosli & Muhammad Ikram A Wahab & Al Mumin Al Kanta & Syamimi Omar & Mazrura Sahani, 2022. "Climate Change and Environmental Education: Stance from Science Teachers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:24:p:16618-:d:1000717
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/24/16618/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/24/16618/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gratiela Dana Boca & Sinan Saraçlı, 2019. "Environmental Education and Student’s Perception, for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-18, March.
    2. June Flora & Melissa Saphir & Matt Lappé & Connie Roser-Renouf & Edward Maibach & Anthony Leiserowitz, 2014. "Evaluation of a national high school entertainment education program: The Alliance for Climate Education," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 127(3), pages 419-434, December.
    3. Nana Yeboaa Opuni-Frimpong & Harry Barton Essel & Emmanuel Opuni-Frimpong & Elizabeth Asantewaa Obeng, 2022. "Sustainable Development Goal for Education: Teachers’ Perspectives on Climate Change Education in Senior High Schools (SHS)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-17, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Fábio Albuquerque & Ana Isabel Dias & Alexandra Domingos, 2023. "The Students’ Intrinsic Motivation for Learning Non-Financial Information Matters from Their Self-Identification as Global Citizens," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-19, May.
    2. Boudet, Hilary S. & Flora, June A. & Armel, K. Carrie, 2016. "Clustering household energy-saving behaviours by behavioural attribute," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 444-454.
    3. Ruth Zárate Rueda & Yolima Ivonne Beltrán Villamizar & Luis Eduardo Becerra Ardila, 2023. "A Retrospective Approach to Pro-Environmental Behavior from Environmental Education: An Alternative from Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-19, March.
    4. Sarfraz Aslam & Khalida Parveen & Abdulelah A. Alghamdi & Safdar Abbas & Akhter Habib Shah & Kesavan Vadakalur Elumalai, 2022. "Hopes for the Future: Capturing the Perspectives of Students on Higher Education and Sustainable Development in the Post-Pandemic Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-16, October.
    5. Anna Shutaleva & Zhanna Nikonova & Irina Savchenko & Nikita Martyushev, 2020. "Environmental Education for Sustainable Development in Russia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-26, September.
    6. Sifan Hu & Jin Chen, 2016. "Place-based inter-generational communication on local climate improves adolescents’ perceptions and willingness to mitigate climate change," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 138(3), pages 425-438, October.
    7. Rita Parmawati & Fadli Mulyadi & Rosyani Rosyani & Suaedi Suaedi & Yunikewaty Yunikewaty, 2023. "The Role of Environmental Education and Green Supply Chain Practices in Achieving Sustainable Development: Evidence from Indonesia," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 13(1), pages 421-430, January.
    8. Oluwatobi Mary Owojori & Ratshalingwa Mulaudzi & Joshua N. Edokpayi, 2022. "Student’s Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) to Solid Waste Management: A Survey towards a More Circular Economy from a Rural-Based Tertiary Institution in South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-23, January.
    9. Farid Antonio Barrozo Budes & Guillermo Valencia Ochoa & Luis Guillermo Obregon & Adriana Arango-Manrique & José Ricardo Núñez Álvarez, 2020. "Energy, Economic, and Environmental Evaluation of a Proposed Solar-Wind Power On-grid System Using HOMER Pro ® : A Case Study in Colombia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-19, April.
    10. Xiaohua Li & Lina Ma & Salahuddin Khan & Xin Zhao, 2023. "The Role of Education and Green Innovation in Green Transition: Advancing the United Nations Agenda on Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-20, August.
    11. Hafsa Batool & Urooj Maqbool & Saba Gulzar, 2024. "Equal Educational Opportunities: A Catalyst for Sustainable Economic Development," Journal of Economic Impact, Science Impact Publishers, vol. 6(1), pages 53-61.
    12. Rūtenis Jančius & Algirdas Gavenauskas & Antanas Ūsas, 2021. "The Influence of Values and the Social Environment on the Environmental Attitudes of Students: The Case of Lithuania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-22, October.
    13. Clarkson, Graham & Garforth, Chris & Dorward, Peter & Mose, George & Barahona, Carlos & Areal, Francisco & Dove, MacKenzie, 2018. "Can the TV makeover format of edutainment lead to widespread changes in farmer behaviour and influence innovation systems? Shamba Shape Up in Kenya," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 338-351.
    14. Madeleine Hohenhaus & Jennifer Boddy & Shannon Rutherford & Anne Roiko & Natasha Hennessey, 2023. "Engaging Young People in Climate Change Action: A Scoping Review of Sustainability Programs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-20, February.
    15. Sharma, Nitika & Paço, Arminda & Upadhyay, Deepika, 2023. "Option or necessity: Role of environmental education as transformative change agent," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    16. Lindgren, Samantha, 2021. "Cookstove implementation and Education for Sustainable Development: A review of the field and proposed research agenda," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    17. Vasile Gherheș & Marcela Alina Fărcașiu, 2021. "Sustainable Behavior among Romanian Students: A Perspective on Electricity Consumption in Households," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-17, August.
    18. Gibellato, Simone & Ballestra, Luca Vincenzo & Fiano, Fabio & Graziano, Domenico & Luca Gregori, Gian, 2023. "The impact of education on the Energy Trilemma Index: A sustainable innovativeness perspective for resilient energy systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 330(PB).
    19. Barbara Borusiak & Andrzej Szymkowiak & Elena Horska & Natalia Raszka & Elżbieta Żelichowska, 2020. "Towards Building Sustainable Consumption: A Study of Second-Hand Buying Intentions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-15, January.
    20. Denghang Chen & Yanlong Guo & Chenyang Wang & Yinrui Xu & Han Zhang, 2022. "Dispersion and Disparity: Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis of Research on Climate Change Science Communication," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-17, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:24:p:16618-:d:1000717. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.