Understanding the 2025 Climate Change Education Survey: Canadians Want More from Our Schools
Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF)’s 2025 national survey paints a revealing picture of how Canadians perceive and experience climate change education today. Conducted with over 4,200 participants across all provinces and territories, the survey highlights both optimism and concern. The vast majority—four in five Canadians—acknowledge that climate change is real and that humanity has not done enough to care for the planet. Most respondents (87%) are even willing to make personal lifestyle changes to address the crisis. Yet troubling gaps remain: only 47% correctly identify human activity as the primary cause of climate change, down from 54% in 2022, and fewer than one in five Canadians feel confident distinguishing reliable information from misinformation.
Education emerges as a crucial factor in bridging this gap. However, public confidence in schools’ climate teaching is low—only a quarter of Canadians give their local schools an A or B grade for how well they address the topic, and just 9% of students report that climate change is discussed often. On a more hopeful note, teachers’ preparedness is improving: nearly half now feel ready to teach about climate change, up from 39% three years ago. More classrooms are integrating hands-on learning, solutions-based projects, and critical media literacy. Still, barriers persist—limited time, training, and administrative support remain common challenges.
The survey concludes with a clear message: Canada needs a more systemic, well-supported approach to climate education that moves beyond fear and facts to action and empowerment. By helping students critically assess information, engage in community solutions, and envision sustainable futures, educators can play a transformative role in preparing the next generation to tackle the defining issue of our time.
To read more, please check out the full survey report on the LSF website:
From Awareness to Action: Canadians on Climate Change and Education