Climate Change Scepticism at Universities: A Global Study

Walter Leal Filho, Mark Mifsud, Petra Molthan-Hill, Gustavo J. Nagy, Lucas Veiga Ávila and Amanda Lange Salvia
Additional contact information
Walter Leal Filho: School of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK
Mark Mifsud: Centre for Environmental and Education Research, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta
Petra Molthan-Hill: Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK
Gustavo J. Nagy: Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
Lucas Veiga Ávila: Department of Postgraduate Studies in Administration, Federal University of Santa Maria-UFSM, Ernesto Barros, 1345, Santo Antônio, Cachoeira do Sul ZIP 96506-322, Brazil
Amanda Lange Salvia: European School of Sustainability Science and Research, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, D-21033 Hamburg, Germany

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 10, 1-13

Abstract: Scepticism about climate change is still a popular trend, despite the existence of scientific evidence that this phenomenon is taking place, and that it is influencing the lives of millions of people around the world. The aim of this paper is to assess the extent to which existing scepticism at the university level is found. The methodology consists of a survey undertaken on a sample of universities around the world, in the context of which attitudes and perceptions about climate change are identified. A total of 237 questionnaires were received from 51 countries around the world. The analysis consists basically of descriptive statistics and an investigation regarding trends on scepticism and the geographical location of the universities. The study concludes by outlining some of the presently seen scepticisms and suggests some ways to address them via curricular innovation and initiatives engaging students.

Keywords: climate change; universities; scepticism; education; change; engagement; online; global study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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