Chinonso Marvellous ANENE

This study assessed the knowledge of climate change and environmental preservation among secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The study was necessitated by the growing environmental challenges associated with climate change and the need to assess students’ level of awareness, practices, and attitudes toward environmental sustainability. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised 8,000 secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area, as obtained from the Edo State Ministry of Education (2024). A sample size of 200 students was selected using a multi-stage sampling technique involving stratification and simple random sampling procedures. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire containing 30 items. The instrument was validated by the researcher and two others from the Department of Health Safety and Environmental Education. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. Findings revealed that the majority of secondary school students possessed a high level of knowledge of climate change and environmental preservation. The study also showed that students engaged in some environmental preservation practices such as proper waste disposal, reduction in the use of plastics, and participation in environmental conservation activities. In addition, the results indicated that most students demonstrated positive attitudes toward environmental protection, including a willingness to adopt environmentally friendly behaviors.The findings concluded that although students have good knowledge and positive attitudes toward climate change and environmental preservation, there is still a need to strengthen practical engagement in environmental activities. The study recommended that environmental education should be intensified in schools, awareness programs should be regularly organized, and students should be encouraged to actively participate in environmental conservation practices.