Kathryn T. Stevenson|M. Nils Peterson|Howard D. Bondell
Developing a model of climate change behavior among adolescents
North Carolina State University|North Carolina State University|North Carolina State University
research adolescent climate change perceptions uncovered key insights knowledge concern hope might relate behavior potential educational interventions influence factors however studies employed treatmentcontrol designs might address causality none addressed factors might interact influence behavior developed model behavior change climate education treatment impacted knowledge knowledge impacted hope concern hope concern together impacted behavior empirically tested utility model causal relationships within using prepost treatmentcontrol evaluation climate education among adolescents north carolina usa n 1041 found support causal relationship treatment gains knowledge treatment behavior however find support path model climate change knowledge positively relates increased climate change concern hope increases concern hope predict changes proenvironmental behavior low ses related smaller gains knowledge concern behavior results contribute theoretical understanding climate change behaviors among adolescents suggest climate education aiming change behavior focus building hope concern