Handling climate change education at Universities: an overview
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Environmental Sciences Europe
Abstract
Climate change is a problem which is global in nature, and whose effects go across a wide range of
disciplines. It is therefore important that this theme is taken into account as part of universities´ teaching and research
programs. A three-tiered approach was used, consisting of a bibliometric analysis, an online survey and a set of case
studies, which allow a profile to be built, as to how a sample of universities from 45 countries handle climate change
as part of their teaching programs. This paper reports on a study which aimed at identifying the extent to which matters related to climate
change are addressed within the teaching and research practices at universities, with a focus on the training needs of
teaching staff. It consists of a bibliometric analysis, combined with an online worldwide survey aimed at ascertaining
the degree of involvement from universities in reducing their own carbon footprint, and the ways they offer training
provisions on the topic. This is complemented by a set of 12 case studies from universities round the world, illustrating current trends on how universities handle climate change. Apart from reporting on the outcomes of the study, the paper highlights what some universities are doing to handle climate issues, and discusses the implications of the research. The paper lists some items via which universities may better educate and train their students on how
to handle the many challenges posed by climate change.