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Published VersionCC BY-ND V4.0, Open Access
Book chapter
Introductory university climate change education: an Australian review
The Routledge Handbook of Global Sustainability Education and Thinking for the 21st Century, pp.79-97
Routledge
2025
Abstract
This chapter aims to explore introductory climate change education (CCE) for undergraduate students. While global education at a tertiary level will form the background, the focus will be on the Australian experience. We commence with an international literature survey of CCE to set the context, followed by a survey of introductory CCE offerings across Australian universities. It is found that tertiary CCE is a rapidly developing field, with its recent incorporation into most universities within the last decade. The approach of individual universities varies significantly depending on their local and national context, although there is an inherent interconnectedness through a range of education, natural, societal and scientific concepts, as observed through unit outlines and descriptions. Staff attitudes at the individual unit level also play an influential role. Student experience and attitudes towards climate change on entry to study affect corresponding attitudes on completion of CCE units, even if they are scientifically unsupported by evidence. The Australian situation has significant similarity to CCE implementation and outcomes globally. There is clearly a need for increased curriculum coordination and accreditation for CCE given the significant need for climate change management, mitigation and adaptation in the 21st century.
Details
- Title
- Introductory university climate change education: an Australian review
- Authors
- Richard J Brown - Queensland University of TechnologyS M Ashrafur RahmanBranka Miljevic - Queensland University of TechnologyCharith Rathnayaka - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringThuy Chu Van - Queensland University of TechnologyZoran D Ristovski - Queensland University of Technology
- Contributors
- Michele John (Editor) - Curtin University
- Publication details
- The Routledge Handbook of Global Sustainability Education and Thinking for the 21st Century, pp.79-97
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.4324/9781003171577-10; 10.4324/9781003171577
- ISBN
- ISBN9781003171577
- Copyright note
- This chapter has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 (CC-BY-ND) International license.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991127505602621
- Output Type
- Book chapter
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