Measuring the global warming knowledge level of education faculty of students; The case of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University

Global warming is the increase in the Earth's average temperature due to the rise in greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere as a result of human activities. This study aims to assess the knowledge levels of pre-service teachers, who play a key role in raising conscious individuals, regarding the phenomenon of global warming. The study population consists of 1,329 students enrolled in the Faculty of Education at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University. Using the convenience sampling technique, a total of 614 students were surveyed. The research data was collected between October 18 and November 30, 2023, and analyzed using the SPSS program. Of the participants, 77.4% were female, and 22.6% were male. Additionally, while 40.9% of the participants have previously taken a course on disasters or disaster awareness, 59.1% have not received any education on this topic. The study found that students generally have a high level of knowledge about global warming, although some gaps remain. To enhance pre-service teachers' understanding of global warming, it is recommended that the topic be given more emphasis in education, supported by practical training, and strengthened through collaborations between universities and environmental organizations.