Abstract

(Objective)  This study aimed to identify the knowledge, attitudes, and competences of second-cycle students from Excelencia Cahuita Elementary Coastal Public School, located in Limón, Costa Rica, for disaster risk management related to climate change, where there is a problem due to the impact on natural resources and the human environment.

(Methodology)  An exploratory-descriptive quantitative approach was used, with a non-experimental cross-sectional research design. The sample is non-probabilistic purposive and is represented by 52 fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders. The technique for data collection was a survey, therefore; a questionnaire was administered with 68 items distributed in five sections: 1. Respondent’s profile and characteristics; 2. knowledge of weather, climate, and climate change concepts; 3. climate change perception; 4. statements on disaster risk management (DRM); 5. identification of concepts related to the study of nature.

(Results)  Results show that reality is unfavorable to climate risk management in the subject of study; this unfavorable climate risk management is reflected in a deficient response and rescue training related to activities such as planning, logistical capability, and training through drills.

(Conclusions)  It is concluded that there is a need to generate environmental education plans that propose precise concepts on global warming, climate change, and disaster risk management. These concepts must be connected to daily life experiences recreated in the classroom to effectively address their complexity and allow children to be competent, adaptable, and resilient in the face of both adversities and benefits of climate change.

Keywords: environmental competence; natural event; disaster risk management; climate change; Cahuita; water resources; resilience