First research into how youngsters learn about climate change

Social media platforms are playing a 'major role' in alerting young people to climate change issues.

Plymouth Uni has been leading the way with research about young people and climate change
Author: Andrew KayPublished 2nd Nov 2021
Last updated 2nd Nov 2021

Young people in Devon have taken part in the first study of its kind looking at why they are so engaged about the issue of climate change and where their information is coming from.

Professor Alison Anderson from the University of Plymouth has been running workshops with 16 to 18-year-olds across Devon and will today speak at the Cop 26 event to outline her research. Watch the talk below

She says most youngsters are seeing the impacts of climate change through Tik Tok, Instagram and YouTube.

Following the study, she added: "The findings suggest that teachers were viewed as trusted sources of information on climate change yet the subject needs to feature more prominently in the national curriculum.

Also that: "The workshops suggest that while young people have a reasonable knowledge of climate change issues, the topic needs to be communicated in clear and meaningful ways avoiding jargon and technical language."

The list of the key talks by Plymouth University at the COP can be found here