Climate Education
Global Movement for Green Education
April 9, 2023
President Nelson Mandela famously said that “education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” However, the latest UNESCO report found that 70% of young people have a very limited understanding of climate change or cannot explain it to someone else, signaling a concerning deficiency when it comes to global climate education. If education is the most powerful weapon, why aren’t we using it?
The next generation has been thrown headfirst into a world plagued by the worsening effects of climate change, and they should understand what they’re inheriting and what’s at stake. Because of the impending nature of the climate crisis, this generation will inevitably be required to rethink the way we operate when it comes to transforming energy sources, preserving biodiversity, and spearheading the climate justice movement. We have an obligation to ensure they feel prepared, confident, and aware as they move forward in a rapidly changing world.
Climate change is a human-caused issue, and we can’t change our future without first reassessing our own systems. The education system is a critical place to start. Students around the world want to – and need to – receive a complex climate education that reflects the urgency of the climate crisis, presents a comprehensive environmental science curriculum, and centers justice-oriented solutions. It’s up to governments to take this next step towards a climate-forward future.
This is why EARTHDAY.ORG created the Climate Education Coalition. In November of 2022, we joined forces with over 100 organizations as well as numerous individuals to form the first ever Climate Education Hub at COP27.
Since its formation, the Coalition has been pressuring political leaders around the world to assess and fully integrate climate education into the K-12 curriculum worldwide. On the International Day of Education, the Coalition released an Open Letter to the COP28 Presidency and Heads of State demanding that quality climate education be prioritized as a topic of discussion at the 2023 UN Climate Summit in Dubai. The letter further calls on global leaders to take action through policy implementation and pledges to allocate funds to education systems.
Everyone has a stake in the global decisions around climate education, especially because it’s still one of the most underfunded and underestimated tactics in the fight against climate change. We invite you to be a part of this movement. Join the Climate Education Coalition by adding your name to the list of over 100 organizations and thousands of individuals who have already signed our Open Letter, or send a request to [email protected] for more information.
Finally, to stay up-to-date on the next steps leaders are taking, you can tune into the expert panel Climate Education at COP28 on April 17th 2-3pm EST.
