Back to School season is here again – do you know how and what your children are learning about the environment and climate change at your local school?
Environmental education varies widely across the country and around the world. In the United States, for example, there are 50 separate literacy plans, some of which exclude climate change and other environmental subjects for political reasons, depriving our children of critically important science information. Other countries are taking environmental education seriously, connecting environmental education to the opportunities that the inevitable green, fossil free economy will offer to our children.
Environmental education should play a central role in every child’s schooling. As the principle organizer of the D.C. March for Science on Earth Day 2017, we know firsthand that comprehensive environmental education prepares students for the jobs of the future and to be engaged citizens who build sustainable communities. That’s why the theme for Earth Day 2017 is “Environmental and Climate Literacy.” Our goal is universal environmental and climate literacy worldwide.
It has been two generations since the first Earth Day and there is still no national or global prioritization of environmental and climate education. What can be done?
What You Can Do About It:
This back-to-school season, make sure your local schools are providing a robust environmental education – one that is science-based, comprehensive and linked to values, civic engagement and the jobs of the future.
Learn: Earth Day Network gives educators the resources they need to provide sound environmental educations, such as our
climate education week toolkit. We also recently released
a study about the discrepancy in the quality of the environmental literacy plans across the 50 states. Teachers can join our
Educator’s Network to keep up with Earth Day Network’s Education Department.
Support: Earth Day Network needs your help to keep fighting for climate literacy around the world. Please
donate.
