Threats to the global atmospheric environment: The extent of pupil understanding

As global environmental problems increase, and our awareness of them heightens, it is clear that important changes are likely to be required of individuals as well as organisations. Education about such issues becomes of paramount importance and, if it is to be effective, it must address the current understanding, and misunderstanding, of children about such issues. Only by knowing this can the preconceived ideas of children be challenged in the learning situation, and more appropriate ideas discussed. This work reviews ongoing research into children's ideas about a number of global environmental issues such as the greenhouse effect and ozone layer depletion. The results of a number of studies are discussed, and show that although children are aware of some of the origins and manifestations of these issues, their thinking is muddled. There is a general tendency for children to think that all environmental insults cause all environmental problems. Reasons are offered for this, and suggestions proposed for a way forward.