An Investigation of the Level of Awareness and Mitigation of Climate Change among Junior School Learners in Busia County, Kenya: A Call for Sensitizing Future Generations

Abstract

Climate change is a pressing global issue with severe impacts on development, including food insecurity, economic instability, and extreme weather events. Driven by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities like deforestation and fossil fuel use, it disproportionately affects Africa despite the continent's minimal emissions. This paper was undertaken in Busia County and it sought to find out the level of awareness of climate change among Junior School learners whereby a total of 405 learners were included In the study and the data was analyzed quantitatively. In Busia County, communities face displacement, water contamination, livestock loss, and food scarcity due to floods, droughts, and heatwaves. Events in Budalangi in Bunyala region of Busia County highlight these challenges which are often exacerbated by poverty and limited resilience. A Chi-square test was conducted to assess the association between grade level and the belief that climate change poses a serious threat. While the Pearson Chi-square result (χ² = 8.916, p = 0.063) was not statistically significant at the 5% level, the Linear-by-Linear Association test was significant (χ² = 7.718, p = 0.005), indicating a positive trend: as students advance in grade, they are more likely to perceive climate change as a serious threat. The findings also reveal gaps in knowledge, inconsistencies in curriculum implementation, and limited participation in sustainable practices. The study underscores the critical role of integrating comprehensive climate change education into school curricula to foster informed and proactive environmental stewardship. Based on the findings, recommendations are made to enhance climate change awareness through improved pedagogical strategies, community engagement, and policy reforms. This research advocates for a structured and sustainable approach to equipping future generations with the knowledge and skills necessary to combat climate change effectively