Computer Science Professionals' Perspectives on Technology's Role in Climate Action

Abstract

This study examines how computer science professionals in South-West Nigeria perceive the role of technology in climate action. The study employed a quantitative research approach using a structured questionnaire and hybrid sampling techniques of random sampling and snowball sampling. Data were collected from 60 lecturers and industry professionals and analyzed through descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression to test four hypotheses.

The results demonstrate that computer science professionals are highly aware of climate change and optimistic about technology, particularly low-carbon and new technologies. However, systemic obstacles like cost, infrastructure, and policy gaps limit this optimism. Hypothesis testing reveals a psychosocial pathway in which awareness promotes positive attitudes, but perceived barriers weaken these attitudes, decreasing motivation to act and restricting actual participation in sustainable actions. Professionals nevertheless exhibit high levels of intrinsic motivation and widespread consensus regarding the significance of institutional support, such as professional associations and industry-academia cooperation.
The study concludes that computer science professionals are important and eager contributors to climate action, but increasing awareness, reducing implementation barriers, and bolstering institutional support are necessary to fully realize their contribution. With suggestions to include climate technology into curricula and encourage multi-stakeholder partnerships, the findings help leaders, educators, and policymakers leverage technological skills for climate solutions. To improve generalizability, future studies are urged to use bigger, multinational samples.