May 1st, 2012 | EVALUATION
Global Climate Change as Seen by Zoo and Aquarium Visitors reports on the findings of a summer 2011 survey conducted at 15 zoos and aquariums. The study was designed to characterize the readiness of U.S. zoo and aquarium visitors to engage with the issue of global climate change. This included describing visitors' cognitive, attitudinal, and behavioral predispositions toward climate change in addition to describing their attitudes and beliefs regarding wildlife, nature, and conservation actions. Results indicate that zoo and aquarium visitors are receptive audiences for climate change education; want to do more to address climate change, yet perceive barriers to doing so; and have access to and experience with virtual social networks and other technology platforms. Furthermore, zoos and aquariums provide visitors with socially supportive contexts for discussions about animal exhibits and connections to nature; and zoo and aquarium visitors' concern about climate change and participation in behaviors to address climate change systematically vary with their sense of connection with animals.
Document
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Team Members
Lisa-Anne DeGregoria Kelly, Project Manager, Chicago Zoological SocietyJerry Luebke, Author, Chicago Zoological Society
Susan Clayton, Author, The College of Wooster
Carol Saunders, Author, Antioch University
Jennifer Matiasek, Author, Chicago Zoological Society
Alejandro Grajal, Author, Chicago Zoological Society
Funders
Funding Source: NSF
Funding Program: Antarctic Education
Award Number: 1043284
Funding Amount: 1206278
Related URLs
CCEP-I: Climate Literacy Zoo Education Network (CliZEN)
Full Text
Tags
Audience: Evaluators | General Public | Museum | ISE Professionals | Scientists
Discipline: Climate | Ecology | forestry | agriculture | Education and learning science | Social science and psychology
Resource Type: Evaluation Reports | Reference Materials
Environment Type: Aquarium and Zoo Exhibits | Aquarium and Zoo Programs | Exhibitions | Public Programs