Perception, Attitude and Practices Regarding Climate Change among College Students in Coastal South India Thapar Rekha1, Unnikrishnan Bhaskaran2, Kumar Nithin1,*, Mithra Prasanna1, Kulkarni Vaman1, Holla Ramesh1, Bhagawan Darshan1 1Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, India 2Associate Dean and Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, India *Corresponding Author: Dr. Nithin Kumar Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, India Mobile: +919591895839 Tel: +91 824-2422271(O) Email: nithin.gatty@manipal.edu
Online published on 21 February, 2019. Abstract Introduction From developing innovative practices to reduce the effects of changing climate, and to the implementation of legislations the young people can contribute immensely. Materials and Method In this cross-sectional survey 375 college students from Mangaluru city were assessed regarding their perception, and attitude towards climate change and their practices towards mitigating it. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Institutional Ethics Committee approval was obtained prior to commencement of the study. Results The mean age of the student was 21.6 ± 2.6 years. Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups on impacts of changing climate such as Changes in population of certain species, rising sea levels, increase in diseases and increase in flooding. (p<0.05). Reducing the use of electricity, and water, walking or cycling to work were the most commonly followed practices Conclusion The study highlights the pressing need for changes in curricula in schools and colleges. Traditional diversion of students into science and non-science fields should be overcome by including climate change topics in junior school as part of subjects dealing with science and environment. Top Keywords Weather change, Curriculum, Global Warming, Young adults, India. Top |