Qué conocen y cómo se informan sobre el cambio climático los estudiantes universitarios: el caso de la Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU)

Sergio Monge Benito; Alex Fernández Muerza

doi:10.31921/doxacom.n41a2674

Authors

Sergio Monge Benito University of the Basque Country https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8061-6865
Alex Fernández Muerza University of the Basque Country https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0219-3534

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31921/doxacom.n41a2674

Keywords:

Climate change, information, communication, the Internet, university students

Abstract

This paper analyses the level of knowledge among university students regarding climate change (hereafter CC), and the sources they use to stay up-to-date on the issue. A case study of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) was conducted using a structured survey based on a research sample from this institution (n=465). The results indicate that the vast majority of the sample believe CC is real (92.4%). Moreover, they believe the main cause of the problems is human activity (87.4%), and that such change will result in serious negative consequences in the future (94.0%). Although the overall level of knowledge about the expected consequences of CC is high (8.25 out of 10), the feeling among students about being wellinformed is only average, which seems to be a paradox. Furthermore, the envisioned negative consequences of CC do not lead participants to regularly seek information on the subject. When they do, the main source of information they mention is the Internet, followed by television. Websites on the Internet that stand out are social media, YouTube-style video sites, and traditional media, both generalist and specialised. Few differences have been found regarding gender, socio-economic class, or whether the students are studying humanities or science.

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Author Biographies

Sergio Monge Benito, University of the Basque Country

Associate Professor in the Department of Audio-visual Communication and Advertising at UPV/ EHU. He holds a degree in Advertising and Public Relations (2001), a second degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2018), and a PhD in Audio-visual Communication and Advertising (2007). He teaches subjects such as Advertising Effectiveness and Digital Marketing on the Degree in Advertising and Public Relations. His line of research focuses on Internet communication, including web 2.0, blogs, positioning, digital reputation, digital branding, social networks, etc., as well as neuromarketing. According to Google Scholar (2023), his H-index is 13: Scopus ID: 57050348800.
Alex Fernández Muerza, University of the Basque Country

Assistant Professor in the Department of Journalism at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). Previously, he was a lecturer on the master’s degree of Journalism and Scientific Communication at National University for Distance Education (UNED). He is also a post-doctoral researcher at the Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), where he has conducted research on climate communication. His lines of research are related to journalism and communication in science and the environment. As a communicator and journalist who specializes in these areas, he has worked in media outlets such as El País and Muy Interesante. He has also worked in corporate communication for institutions such as the Basque Regional Government, the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), and the Ministry of Ecological Transition.

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