Climate Change Awareness among Science and Technology Teachers Of Secondary Schools in Niger State

Abstract

Climate change awareness is much needed for public support in its mitigation and adaptation. In this regard, public education is critical in raising levels of awareness on the subject. This research was designed to assess the level of climate change awareness among Science and Technology Teachers of Secondary Schools in Minna Metropolis of Niger State. Objectives of the study were to: assess teachers’ level of climate change awareness, identify factors that causes climate change, effects of climate change on the society and strategies for reducing the effects of climate change. Descriptive survey design was adopted in which some 95 randomly selected respondents were drawn from 15 secondary schools within Minna Metropolis of Niger State. A structured questionnaire was administered to obtain data on teachers’ knowledge and opinion on climate change. The findings of the study showed that the level of climate change awareness among secondary school science and technology teachers in Minna Metropolis of Niger State is not significantly low. Teachers registered a medium level of awareness albeit gaps in their knowledge. Results further identified deforestation, combustion of fossil fuels, poor agricultural practices, air pollution among other as causes of climate changes. The strategies for reducing the impact of climates were also identified by the teachers. Consequently, it was recommended that the Ministry of Education should undertake climate change capacity building among teachers through organizing climate change workshops for teachers and circulating materials on climate change to secondary school