The CSIRO will review its new climate change education program for schools following claims made in Senate estimates today that the material is biased and frightens children by offering ''an apocalyptic scenario.''
South Australian Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi said the CSIRO's Carbon Kids education kit was ''designed to scare kids'' about future impacts of climate change.
It painted a frightening picture for children of a world where rising temperatures had created jobs losses and food scarcity, he said. The kit had ''cherry-picked facts'', offered no discussions of alternative views, and ignored positive steps such as future development of green jobs.
''It's telling children there's going to be some sort of apocalypse - that's my word, and it's intentionally provocative,'' he said.
''Kids shouldn't be driven to conclusions deliberately.''
The carbon Kids pilot program is being run in more than 170 schools, and was designed to help primary and middle school students develop an understanding of climate change. The program is funded by global chemical company, Bayer.
The CSIRO's deputy chief executive, Mike Whelan said the kit was based on peer-reviewed science, ''and not designed to stimulate one view or another.'' But in response to questions from Senator Bernardi, Mr Whelan admitted he had not seen the kit.
''We are happy to review the material in the program,'' he said.
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