Climate change awareness and understanding of international studies students

• Main Authors: Domdom, Monica B., Fonbuena, Jason Brian B., Tiu, Anne Radiance Jade T.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2008
• Subjects: Climatic changes > Environmental aspects; Environmental protection > International cooperation; Students, Foreign; Foreign study; International and Area Studies
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/6494
• Institution: De La Salle University

Climate change has become the most important environmental issue in the international arena. Its alarming and destructive effects have prompted states to create appropriate measures to address this issue. Though it has gained importance at the international level, it has yet to leave its mark on the individual. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate, although in a limited scale, the awareness of International Studies students on climate change both as a political and an environmental issue. The researchers used a survey questionnaire as an instrument to evaluate the understanding and awareness on climate change of the International Studies students. They were chosen as the respondents because they are supposedly knowledgeable on international issues such as climate change. After conducting the survey, the data was coded and tallied. The data was presented in table form based on the major programs to identify trends and patterns which became the basis of interpretation and new insights about the topic. Having gathered and analyzed the data in the previous chapter, the researchers have found out that all American and Japanese Studies respondents are aware of climate change but their understanding on the issue is not as deep as the European Studies respondents. Even though not all European Studies respondents were aware of the issue of climate change, those that are aware have a deeper understanding on the issue. They answered the questions in a more in-depth and insightful manner. Their understanding was also more diverse compared to the American and Japanese Studies respondents as reflected in their answers. Although the data showed that students know more about the issue. Their responses are more detailed and direct to the point. They were able to point out the effects of climate change as discussed in some related literatures. This trend coincides with the fact that Europe their field of specialization is at the forefront of action regarding the issue of climate change. In light of this, the researchers have concluded that the European Studies students are the most well-informed grouping on the issue of climate change.