Global warming awareness among the University of Bahrain science students

Peer review under responsibility of University of Bahrain.

Figures & data

Table 1 Questionnaire statements [C = Cause, I = Impact, S = Solution].

True/false questions n = 15	Multiple choice questions (MCQ) n = 15
1. During the last years, the average global sea level has been rising (true) [I] 2. The use of solar energy accelerate global warming (false) [S] 3. Carbon dioxide is a gas that has contributed to aggravating global warming (true) [C] 4. During the last years, the ice cover of Earth’s two polar regions has increased (false) [I] 5. Global warming will not lead to displacement of human population (false) [I] 6. With the passage of time, the average global temperature rises (false) [I] 7. The growing incidence of skin cancer in recent years is due to the ozone layer depletion (true) [I] 8. Carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere mainly because of fossil fuel combustion (true) [C] 9. In general, the use of public transport instead of private cars can contribute to minimizing global warming (true) [S] 10. The use of solar energy exacerbates (worsen) global warming (false) [S] 11. The ozone layer prevent the ultraviolet rays of the sun rays from entering the earth atmosphere (true) [I] 12. Greenhouse gases allow solar radiation to pass through but hinder the escape of infrared rays (heat) back into space (true) [C] 13. TV does not consume energy when it is turned off by remote control (false) [S] 14. The Kyoto Protocol concerns the reduction of the greenhouse gases and thus global warming (true) [S] 15. Greenhouse gases such as Argon, Neon, Helium, Methane, Hydrogen, Nitrous Oxide, and Ozone also have negative impact on global warming (true) [C]	1. At present, the major environmental problem that causes global warming is [C] a. Radioactive waste b. Acid rain c. Water pollution d. Air pollution 2. Which of the following energy resources cause the most environmental pollution leading to global warming? [C] a. Coal b. Oil c. Natural gas d. Solar 3. The BEST definition of global warming is [C] a. The increase of the temperature on earth b. The emission of gases in the atmosphere that causes greenhouse effect c. The study of human impact on the environment d. The excessive emission of gases 4. The principle gas that causes the “hole” in the ozone layer is [C] a. Carbon dioxide (CO2) b. Methane gas (CH4) c. Carbon mono-oxide (CO) d. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 5. The best known CFC is Freon, a heat transfer agent found in [C] a. Televisions and radios b. Microwaves c. Refrigerators and air conditioners d. ovens 6. The increase emission of gases from fossil fuel burning [C] a. Causes the greenhouse effect b. Causes global warming c. Prevent the sun rays from going out of the atmosphere after reflecting on earth d. All of the above 7. Select the correct association [C] a. Carbon dioxide-Bacterial decomposition b. Nitrous oxide-Fertilizer use and animal wastes c. Methane-Fossil fuel and wood burning d. Chlorofluorocarbons-flooding 8. In case global warming continues, what do you think we are going to encounter danger? [I] a. Increased ice fields b. Drought and desertification c. Water desalination d. Sea level decline	9. What do you think we can do individually at home to decrease global warming? [S] a. Decrease electricity consumption b. Use non-recyclable products c. Increase water consumption d. Increase waste products (garbage) 10. What do you think we can do to decrease global warming as individuals outside? [S] a. Plant trees b. Use artificial fertilizers c. Use public transportation or share private transports d. Use sun protection cream 11. Recent climate change is primarily caused by [C] a. Melting of ice cover of Earth’s two polar regions b. Human activities c. Rise of the average sea level worldwide d. Displacement of human population 12. All of the following human behaviors contribute to global warming except: [C] a. Using hydrogen as energy source b. Wasting non-renewable energy resources c. Destroying forests d. Consuming fossil fuel 13. Due to global warming, important climatic changes such as all of the followings can occur except: [I] a. excessive heat waves b. Windstorms c. Killer floods and forest fires d. Abnormal diseases 14. Which of the following gases contribute most to the greenhouse effect, accounting for nearly 80% of the impact? [C] a. Helium b. Ozone c. Carbon dioxide d. Nitrous Oxide 15. Greenhouse gases [C] a. Absorb infrared radiation, thus warms the earths’ surface and increase the atmosphere heat. b. Reflect infrared radiation, thus warms the earths’ surface and increase the atmosphere heat. c. Absorb ultraviolet radiation, thus warms the earths’ surface and increase the atmosphere heat. d. Reflect ultraviolet radiation, thus warms the earths’ surface and increase the atmosphere heat

Based on the study of Boyes et al. (1993) and Liarakou et al. (2011).

Figure 1a Percentage of the surveyed students according to the departments.

Figure 1b Numbers of the surveyed students according to their study year.

Table 2 Percentage of correct and incorrect answers regarding global warming causes among first and fourth year students of different departments.

Causes questions	Biology 1st year	Biology 4th year	Physics 1st year	Physics 4th year	Mathematics 1st year	Mathematics 4th year	Chemistry 1st year	Chemistry 4th year
n = 15	n = 30	n = 21	n = 9	n = 15	n = 18	n = 22	n = 13	n = 15
Correct answers	40 ± 0.17	65 ± 0.19	63 ± 0.30	61 ± 0.21	68 ± 0.18	49 ± 0.17	41 ± 0.21	50 ± 0.20
Incorrect answers	60 ± 0.17	35 ± 0.19	37 ± 0.30	39 ± 0.21	32 ± 0.18	51 ± 0.17	59± 0.21	50 ± 0.20

The values are expressed as mean ± SD.

Table 3 Percentage of correct and incorrect answers regarding global warming impact among first and fourth year students of different departments.

Impact questions	Biology 1st year	Biology 4th year	Physics 1st year	Physics 4th year	Mathematics 1st year	Mathematics 4th year	Chemistry 1st year	Chemistry 4th year
n = 8	n = 30	n = 21	n = 9	n = 15	n = 18	n = 22	n = 13	n = 15
Correct answers	56 ± 0.18	72 ± 0.28	57 ± 0.43	68 ± 0.36	54 ± 0.36	51 ± 0.28	39± 0.25	59 ± 0.37
Incorrect answers	44 ± 0.18	23 ± 0.28	43 ± 0.43	32 ± 0.36	46 ± 0.36	49 ± 0.28	61 ± 0.25	41% ± 0.37

The values are expressed as mean ± SD.

Table 4 Percentage of correct and incorrect answers regarding solutions of global warming among first and fourth year students of different departments.

Solutions Questions	Biology 1st year	Biology 4th year	Physics 1st year	Physics 4th year	Mathematics 1st year	Mathematics 4th year	Chemistry 1st year	Chemistry 4th year
n = 7	n = 30	n = 21	n = 9	n = 15	n = 18	n = 22	n = 13	n = 15
Correct Answers	51 ± 0.19	75 ± 0.14	59 ± 0.20	70 ± 0.20	73 ± 0.17	60 ± 0.23	41 ± 0.19	50 ± 0.12
Incorrect Answers	49 ± 0.19	25 ± 0.14	41 ± 0.20	30 ± 0.20	27 ± 0.17	40 ± 0.23	59 ± 0.19	50 ± 0.12

The values are expressed as mean ± SD.

Table 5 Variation in respondent answers regarding impacts, causes, and solutions questions among different departments.

Questions	Chi-square	p-Value
Impacts questions between four departments	36.5	0.019
Causes questions between four departments	42.6	0.44
solutions questions between four departments	32.3	0.05
Impact questions between first and fourth year students of different departments	17.1	0.017
Causes questions between first and fourth year students of different departments	19.0	0.163
Solutions questions between first and fourth year students of different departments	16.8	0.018