EARTHDAY.ORG Advocates for Enhanced Funding of Climate Education at NYC Climate Week 2023

EARTHDAY.ORG Advocates for Enhanced Funding of Climate Education at NYC Climate Week 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 20, 2023) – EARTHDAY.ORG continues to lead the charge, advocating for advanced funding for climate education during Climate Week in NYC.

EARTHDAY.ORG’s Director of Education, Bryce Coon, is joining fellow stakeholders at the Greening Education Partnership (GEP) meeting on September 21st to discuss the necessity of enhancing funding for climate education and the establishment of the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Greening Education. 

In collaboration with UNESCO, UNEP, UNFCCC, UNICEF, and UNITAR, the Greening Education Partnership is hosting the first co-creation meeting of the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund. It is a critical gathering of thought leaders and advocates dedicated to addressing the urgent need for comprehensive climate education. 

With 74 Member States and over 800 partners already engaged in action, the partnership has emerged as a global force for integrating climate education into the broader educational framework.

Bryce Coon, a former high school civics teacher with a deep-rooted commitment to climate education, emphasizes the importance of this event, stating, “Allocating adequate funding for climate education is paramount. Currently, students receive a mere two hours of climate education per year, while 77% express anxiety about the future. We must ensure this funding materializes to equip our youth with the knowledge and skills they need to tackle the climate crisis head-on. “

“Let us be unequivocal: Climate education is the cornerstone of a sustainable future. It not only equips our youth with the knowledge to combat climate change, but it also builds a pipeline of green jobs, fostering the growth of a vibrant green economy,” says Kathleen Rogers, President of EARTHDAY.ORG. “The UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Greening Education is a pivotal stride in directing resources where they’re most urgently needed. We cannot afford to falter; we must see this funding through to its fruition. It’s the bridge that will empower the next generation to boldly confront the challenges of our swiftly changing world.”

Max Falcone, EARTHDAY.ORG Consultant, states, “This Fund breaks new ground by synergizing climate and education financing, and paving the way for impactful financing at both country and school levels. The statistics tell a clear story, and we must ensure funding follows through to revolutionize our approach to climate education.”

The meeting’s agenda will encompass discussions on existing funding opportunities, maximizing complementarity in climate education financing, and the institutionalization of greening education at COP 28 events.

About EARTHDAY.ORG:

EARTHDAY.ORG’s mission is to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Growing out of the first Earth Day (1970), EARTHDAY.ORG is the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement, working with more than 150,000 partners in nearly 192 countries to build environmental democracy. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day actions each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. Learn more at earthday.org.

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