http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/climatechange/webinar/discussions/behavior_change.html#discussion http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/climatechange/webinar/discussions/behavior_change.html#post13548 Don Duggan-Haas: Does clearing up these misconceptions lead to actual reductions in emissions? In other words, do people who are more climate-literate have smaller carbon footprints?]]> Katryn Wiese 1295637000 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/climatechange/webinar/discussions/behavior_change.html#post13548 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/climatechange/webinar/discussions/behavior_change.html#post13550 http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/enviroprojects/lifestyle.html

The project gets the students involved and does a great job addressing the misconception that solutions are impossible and everything is hopeless. Students feel empowered that they can make lasting changes.

I will go a step further and say that students are much more in agreement about solutions than they are about the climate science. Some of my students never do come into alignment with climate science, but they nearly all can get into the idea of saving energy (and money). It turns out to be a much easier case to make.]]> Karin Kirk 1295637900 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/climatechange/webinar/discussions/behavior_change.html#post13550 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/climatechange/webinar/discussions/behavior_change.html#post13553
Don, if you are asking about the knowledge deficit myth which I think you are-the notion that more knowledge leads necessarily to better behavior-I don't think it necessarily does. However, I think at least some knowledge is a necessary precondition for changed behavior. I don't think people need to be climate literate to change their behavior. I don't need to be a nutritionist to add more vegetables to my diet. But if I know why it's important it helps.]]> Susan Buhr 1295639460 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/climatechange/webinar/discussions/behavior_change.html#post13553 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/climatechange/webinar/discussions/behavior_change.html#post13554
I am interested to see what project you do with it, so thanks for the link to the project!! I might be stealing it!]]> Mel Huff 1295639460 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/climatechange/webinar/discussions/behavior_change.html#post13554 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/climatechange/webinar/discussions/behavior_change.html#post13556
For example, students sometimes think that if they use batteries, then they are not using electricity. But that is easy to address when I see it.

The other thing that goes a long way is having them measure their energy use and realize how much energy certain tasks use. That alone prompts a lot of interest and motivation.

And my own misconception that we are hopeless to change our behavior is displaced when I read the student journals!]]> Karin Kirk 1295641620 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/climatechange/webinar/discussions/behavior_change.html#post13556