Shaping a Sustainable Future With Climate Education

Education has been central to the rise and flourishing of civilizations for centuries. Despite its obvious importance, however, it hasn’t always been widely accessible or affordable. In fact, only in the last century, with the historic publication of the United Nations’ Declaration on Human Rights in 1948, has it been declared a basic human right. 

As new requirements for children’s education were established, there soon came the need for regulations regarding the rights and responsibilities of teaching staff. In October 1966, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted the Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers, a set of guidelines for the advancement of the teaching profession and the standardization of teachers’ rights, responsibilities and working conditions. A similar set of guidelines was adopted in 1997 with regard to higher education.

World Teachers Day, observed annually on October 5 since 1994, commemorates the document’s anniversary and the precedent it set for the improvement of education worldwide. In addition to celebrating the teachers who have contributed so much to our lives, the day is also a great opportunity to reflect on the essence of education and its importance in the lives of young people. 

Many recent studies have shown the long-term positive effects of quality education on diverse aspects of students’ lives. A 2014 study, which analyzed the impact of “high value-added” (VA) teachers — teachers who have had positive, quantitative impacts on their students’ academic success — on more than one million students, found that students taught by high VA teachers were more likely to attend college, have higher paying jobs, and were less likely to become teen parents. 

A critical component of this positive impact, however, is the student’s trust in the teacher, in what they are teaching, and in how they will support the student in their learning. Samford University psychology professor Stephen Chew found in a 2020 study that students are more likely to push themselves and take risks when they trust their instructors. 

The concept of trust is especially important when it comes to sensitive topics, including politics, religion, and even science. Subjects such as evolution and climate change, the validity of which some deny, can be contentious and, as such, need to be treated with care. 

Climate Education Makes a Real Difference

Science education, and climate education in particular, is more important than ever, especially in the United States, as we increasingly experience the destructive effects of the global climate crisis. While most Americans do believe in climate change, and that it is cause for significant concern, misinformation and confusion continue to pose problems. 

For example, only 1 in 5 Americans understand that the vast majority — more than 90% — of scientists agree that human-caused global warming is happening, while only 58% of Americans believe that global warming is caused by human activity. 

Nevertheless, it has been repeatedly established that people who learn about climate change in school are not only better equipped but also more likely to make sustainable choices later in life. As EARTHDAY.ORG’s climate education fact sheet highlights, the Columbia School of Climate reported that 59% of students who learned about climate change in school have taken action to address it, compared to only 44% of students who did not learn about climate change. A 2020 study found that if just 16% of secondary students in middle and high income countries were taught climate science in school, it would result in a reduction of almost 19 gigatons of carbon dioxide by 2050. 

While early education is of course important, adult education should not be discounted. Despite popular belief, older generations of Americans are not significantly less likely to believe in climate change. In fact, a recent study showed that older Americans may actually be more inclined to take action regarding climate change.. 

Fortunately, the Internet has made disseminating information to large audiences remarkably more convenient. With increased accessibility to news sources, books, film, and television, in addition to new technologies such as virtual reality, it has become much easier to engage people on a wide variety of topics. From nature documentaries to climate-focused video games, to the free provision of satellite imagery to the public, there are countless ways to learn more about environmental science and climate change, no matter your age, education level, or interests. 

But just as the internet facilitates the sharing of information, it also allows the spread of misinformation. Quality schooling, however, is one of the best tools at our disposal to combat this issue. The earlier children are exposed to the facts, as well as taught critical thinking and discussion skills, the less susceptible they will be to any false or misleading information they encounter later in life, and the more likely they will be to confidently evaluate how trustworthy are the sources of that information. A 2024 study of 776 students at a secondary school (years 7 through 11) in England found that students’ susceptibility to science misinformation and disinformation declined over the 5 years, and underscored the importance of continued education. 

Accessible Climate Education Materials

Since the very first Earth Day in 1970, the environmental movement has been dedicated to raising awareness about our most pressing environmental problems and inspiring people around the world to get involved and take action in their own communities. 

Today, EARTHDAY.ORG (EDO) continues to uphold this important mission and a key component of this work is about prioritizing the inclusion of climate education in school curricula worldwide. In April of this year, EDO released a report titled Climate Education vs. The Climate Crisis, outlining the significant benefits this inclusion offers. These include easing student climate anxiety, helping children understand the impact of their actions on the planet, and, perhaps most importantly, increasing their likelihood of embracing the green skills that today’s workforce urgently needs. 

This goal of integrating climate education into classrooms has widespread support: 86% of teachers and 84% of parents advocate for it, while 65% of students express a desire to learn more about how climate change will affect the planet. However, only one U.S. state, New Jersey, currently has mandatory climate change education for grades K-12. EARTHDAY.ORG intends to change this.

Acknowledging the critical need for increased climate education, EARTHDAY.ORG aims to make climate course material more accessible to classrooms. From lesson plans and teaching guides, to advocacy packets and reading lists, their website provides comprehensive resources that can be easily tailored to schools’ existing curricula. 

While these resources are a valuable part of the solution, EARTHDAY.ORG needs your support! Schools, teachers, parents, and students need to elevate their voices to amplify their desires and concerns. The resources are available, and the motivation is clearly there; all that is needed now is for governments to listen to their constituents and act in their best interest and put climate into classrooms!

Celebrate this World Teachers Day by becoming an Earth Day Educator Representative – sign up here to join the global community of climate educators!   

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• classrooms
• teachers