31/03/2009 - Teenagers in OECD countries are mostly well aware
of environmental issues but often know little about their
causes, raising questions about how well societies will be
equipped to tackle such challenges in the future, according to a
new OECD publication. According to data published in“Green at
Fifteen?" ,the latest OECD report on findings from its PISA
study, more than 90% of an extensive sample of 15-year-old
school students were familiar, for example, with issues relating
to air pollution, nuclear waste and water shortages. However,
almost half were unable to identify a single source of acid
rain, such as factory or automobile emissions. The best score
came from Finland, where three out of four were able to give an
answer. In Turkey, by contrast, only one in four students could
respond. Overall, the PISA tests showed widespread awareness
among teenagers about environmental issues, coupled with a sense
of responsibility and optimism. But the results also showed
variations in competence in environ