Survey Results

Academic Protocol and Climate Change

This survey received 11 responses from 8 countries: Australia, Brazil, Fiji, Germany, Iran, Islamic Republic of, Serbia, Taiwan, Republic of China, United States of America

Question 1 asked Discussions concerning climate change often contain material that may be distressing to some. Is it the accepted protocol or etiquette in your institution to avoid such distressing topics?

This was a free-response question. Responses said:

  • I am not aware of that (Brazil)
  • We can discuss up to a certain point, which itself might change in time. (Iran, Islamic Republic of)
  • No (Taiwan, Republic of China)
  • No (Brazil)
  • No (Australia)
  • No (Serbia)
  • Yes, but not because it is distressing, it is because of the political agenda of our region. In the recent past the term "climate change" was banned from government use in Florida. (United States of America)
  • Yes, but not because it is distressing, it is because of the political agenda of our region. In the recent past the term "climate change" was banned from government use in Florida. (United States of America)
  • We address it head on (Fiji)
  • We address it head on (Fiji)
  • trigger warnings are still rare; climate change and sustainability are topics students are eager to learn about and discuss (Germany)

Question 2 asked In difficult discussions around climate change, is it the accepted convention in your institution to emphasize the positive aspects of the topic?

This was a free-response question. Responses said:

  • I am not aware of that (Brazil)
  • Of course it is. (Iran, Islamic Republic of)
  • No (Taiwan, Republic of China)
  • No (Brazil)
  • No, the convention is to speak the whole truth (Australia)
  • No (Serbia)
  • We tread difficult waters even mentioning it, and when we do we must use citation and make it clear we are not speaking personally or with opinion. (United States of America)
  • We tread difficult waters even mentioning it, and when we do we must use citation and make it clear we are not speaking personally or with opinion. (United States of America)
  • We are a small island nation; we emphasize the loss. (Fiji)
  • We are a small island nation; we emphasize the loss. (Fiji)
  • It is an urgent concern to address climate change, there is no avoidance (Germany)

Question 3 asked Climate models predict a range of possible warming scenarios. Is it the convention in your institution to avoid discussing the worst case scenarios?

This was a free-response question. Responses said:

  • I am not aware of that (Brazil)
  • I discussed lots of scenarios. Time of discussion is also important. (Iran, Islamic Republic of)
  • No (Taiwan, Republic of China)
  • No (Brazil)
  • No (Australia)
  • No (Serbia)
  • Again, we are discouraged from teaching anything climate or environment related. The new laws in Florida allow students and watchdogs to potentially sue professors. (United States of America)
  • Again, we are discouraged from teaching anything climate or environment related. The new laws in Florida allow students and watchdogs to potentially sue professors. (United States of America)
  • We emphasize the loss. (Fiji)
  • We emphasize the loss. (Fiji)
  • No (Germany)
    Original Text
    no

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