Level of awareness on low carbon society concept among secondary school students

Abstract

The establishment of Low Carbon Society (LCS) is aimed at reducing anthropogenic greenhouse gases emission (specifically carbon dioxide) without compromising the economic and social development in developing countries like Malaysia. Formal education plays an important role in catalyzing lifestyle change required to transform our society into LCS. This study aims to understand the level of awareness on LCS concept among secondary school students, and to propose the integration of LCS concepts into school Physics curriculum. A self-reporting questionnaire was developed and distributed to 466 Form Four Science stream students from seven schools in the area of Iskandar Malaysia which is moving towards LCS. The Physics Curriculum specification and textbooks were analysed qualitatively for LCS components. The result showed that students’ level of awareness and knowledge on the concept of LCS is low. Four learning areas in the Physics curriculum were identified to be related to the components of LCS. However information presented in the textbooks are limited to factual knowledge and unrelated to current climate issues. Additional information is proposed to be taught alongside the identified learning areas to promote awareness of LCS and also to equip students with the knowledge to make informed decision and consequently choose more sustainable lifestyle.