The Importance of Climate Change Education
Climate change education is crucial, especially for youth facing the accelerating realities of climate change impacts. According to a recent Lancet study, young people are experiencing emotions such as sadness, anxiety and anger in response to climate change. The enormity of the challenge can leave people of all ages feeling helpless and powerless.
So, what is climate change education?
Climate change education guides youth to understand both climate science and eco-social impacts, fostering an understanding of their role in enacting change. It creates awareness about the causes and impacts of climate change–while highlighting solutions and pathways for personal and community engagement.
“
“As educators, our message is that climate change is here, it’s complex, but there are adults actively working on the solutions,” says Haley Guest, Manager of Education and Engagement at Clean. “At the same time, we support young people to reflect on their own skills and be interested in how they can play a role in those solutions. This approach can hone critical thinking, problem-solving and citizenship skills.”
“
Climate change education is not all about science–it supports the development of skills and attitudes that empower youth to respond effectively to climate change. It enables them to understand the reasons behind the changes they observe in their world and find hope in knowing about solutions.
Clean’s Climate change education programs
At Clean Foundation, we offer comprehensive climate change educational programming for both youth and educators.
Our team of Environmental Educators provide free interactive programming for youth, both inside and outside classrooms, offering hands-on experiences and providing evidence-based information about climate change challenges and solutions. We also offer professional learning workshops to ensure educators are confident in integrating climate change and environmental learning–across all subjects. Additionally, youth who are inspired to take action can apply for financial support for their climate action projects.
“
“Youth today are graduating into a world actively responding to climate change,” says Guest. “We need to support them to understand the science behind the climate impacts they are already experiencing and equip them to navigate and address the challenges ahead.”
“
Learn more
Looking for climate change education for school and youth groups?
Talking Climate Change with Kids
Helping elementary educators teach about climate change We all know how important it is to tackle climate change. It’s affecting animals, wild spaces, communities and even the economy. We believe it’s vital to involve as many young people as we can. We know they care...
Clean Leadership Conference 2019
The Clean Leadership program is designed for Atlantic Canada’s clean economy. We help the businesses, organizations, and government agencies championing low-carbon growth to invest in students and grads ages 15-30 by placing them in internships in the clean growth...
An Experience is Worth 1,000 Words
Fig. 1 Simplest Experiential Learning Cycle "... Experiential learning requires the student to not only engage in the experience activity, but also requires them to reflect upon their learning and how their skills learned through their academic studies can be applied...
Recent Comments