Hello readers,
Welcome to #ClimateJusticeThursday on CleanbuildVoices!
The world is undeniably facing a climate emergency and we must harness the power of education in the fight against climate change.
This is because climate change education is essential to helping people of all ages understand climate change and take informed action in communities around the world.
It has the potential to arm individuals, governments, and organizations with the essential knowledge and skills that they need to cope with climate change and take action in their own communities. This is especially important in frontline communities that are disproportionately hit by the deadly consequences of climate change.
Increased interest in climate change education and the growing recognition of the challenges inherent to addressing this issue creates an opportunity to put in place, well-rounded educational systems that are efficient for combating the current crisis.
But what should a well-informed climate change education look like?
Climate change is best taught with effective, well-tested education methods of experiential activities around relevant and meaningful impacts of climate change.
Firstly, a well-informed climate change education must be based on gender-responsive curricula to ensure equity and effectiveness.
Secondly, a well-informed climate education must be based on science and must be taught across all levels of education and across all subjects, recognizing and explaining the varied social impacts of the climate crisis, including its disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable groups, women and girls among them.
Thirdly, a well-informed climate change education must also foster critical thinking and civic engagement which will empower students to consider just and sustainable alternatives and take informed actions in their communities. This will help them help build problem-solving skills by engaging them in classroom and community projects to increase awareness.
We all know that students learn more if they are prompted to assess their own ideas, talk through the evidence, and explain their thinking. So, when these strategies are used for climate change education, it can help educators improve their practice and deepen their participants’ learning.
To ensure a just transition to a green economy, our education systems must also be updated so that students are equipped with the skills they need for future careers in a sustainable world. It is therefore important that all students have access to quality climate education.
