Potential of ‘future workshop’ method for educating adolescents about climate change mitigation and adaptation: a case from Freistadt, Upper Austria

Abstract

Using the ‘future workshop’ (FW) method, adolescents can be prepared for responding to climate-related risks at the local level. The ‘KLAR! – Zukunftswerkstatt’ presents a case study combining climate change information, FW and place-attachment theories. Its development and application with 41 learners in one upper-secondary school in Austria are demonstrated. Statistically significant findings suggest that students are more aware about mitigation and adaptation behaviors after participating in FW. Qualitative findings demonstrate that students developed higher levels of action knowledge for mitigation and adaptation behaviors. Such teaching approach is not limited to the researched case, but supports environmental education in general.

Acknowledgements

Upper-secondary school students’ and teachers’ from BHAK (Bundeshandelsakademie) & HTL (Höhere Technische Lehranstalt) Freistadt participation in FW and the funding from Energiebezirk Freistadt are very much appreciated. Furthermore, the financial assistance of the National Research Foundation (NRF) towards the publication of this research is hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at are those the authors and are not necessarily to be attributed to the NRF.

Disclosure statement

Nothing to declare.