Climate Change Awareness, Attitude, and its Influence towards Eco-Anxiety among High School Students

This study investigates the relationship between Valencia National High School Grade 9 students’ eco-anxiety, attitudes, and climate change awareness. The study primarily looks into how students views and attitudes are influenced by their understanding of the nature, causes, and effects of climate change. Data were collected through surveys utilizing a descriptive-correlational design, employing descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. Students showed a high awareness of the effects of climate change, but only a moderate grasp of its causes and nature, according to the findings. Regarding climate change, students were largely favorable, expressing worry and the need for action. Moderate eco-anxiety levels were discovered, signifying anxiety without extreme suffering. While awareness by itself did not directly predict eco-anxiety, correlation analysis showed a substantial association between eco-anxiety and attitudes toward climate change. The highest predictor of eco-anxiety, based on regression analysis, is the student's attitudes, highlighting the emotional bond between students and environmental issues. Enhancing climate education to give a fair grasp of climate concerns, encouraging positive attitudes, and providing mental health help are some of the recommendations. Activities that encourage environmental consciousness, emotional fortitude, and proactive participation in sustainability activities should be put into place by legislators, educators, and school administrators. Future studies might examine other educational and psychological elements that affect pupils' climate-related behavior.