The right to climate education

Climate change ignorance is widespread [1], posing a significant threat to global climate action and the achievement of climate goals. [2] In this context, schools have a critical role to play. It is urgent to counter misinformation. [3] 

Without adequate climate education, students will struggle to understand the present and navigate the future. Climate education is not just important; it is a conditio sine qua non [4] for both learning and future work. The climate crisis is highly complex, requiring an interdisciplinary approach that educational institutions can effectively provide. The involvement and commitment of students and teachers, who together form a global community of hundreds of millions [5], is crucial for disseminating accurate information about the climate crisis and the actions needed to address it.

The time for climate education is now. Climate change will soon impact [6] students' daily lives. [7] Inside Climate News recent article titled “As Extreme Weather Batters Schools, Students Are Pushing for More Climate Change Education” highlights how “the impact of climate change on primary education is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, both inside and outside the classroom.” Climate education should therefore also include vital information on protecting human health in the face of global warming and extreme weather events. To make it clear, this is not about indoctrination, but about upholding human rights, promoting climate justice, protecting freedom and securing a future worth living.

Understanding the crisis

The climate crisis is an unprecedented global challenge and must be addressed with the highest priority. With this understanding, I have started a series of articles for illuminem, which are the result of research and reflection.This is the first contribution, further articles will follow shortly. [8]

Climate change is a hugely important scientific discovery to which thousands of scientists from different disciplines and countries around the world have contributed over the years. It is a scientific discovery that is the result of a huge collective effort and is undoubtedly one of the greatest discoveries of mankind in recent times. Burning Up: A Global History of Fossil Fuel Consumption by Simon Pirani explains this concept very well and in detail in the chapter ‘The Discovery of Global Warming.’ [9] 

Still, despite decades of international conferences and discussions and a scientific consensus on the human causes of climate change [10], progress on climate action remains slow and insufficient, putting our future at risk. This is why international agreements also underscore the importance of climate education, as highlighted by UNESCO: “Climate change education helps people understand and address the impacts of the climate crisis, empowering them with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to act as agents of change.”

An unexpressed potential

The potential for schools and universities to contribute to climate education and climate action is enormous but still largely unexplored. By enabling students to deeply explore the climate crisis and its causes, we can ensure that accurate information reaches every corner of the world. Students, empowered with knowledge, can become active participants in climate discussions and actions, while universities can advance research and analysis on these critical issues.

Students around the world have the right to quality information about the current crisis so they can prepare for the future and make appropriate decisions. Once again, climate change and human rights are strongly linked [11]. The climate crisis will change every sector of the global economy, and the creation of green jobs [12] will be crucial. The demand from students for schools and universities to become more involved in climate education [13] will only increase, at least this is what I expect. Historically, student movements have driven significant social change [14]; which role will students play in the coming years?

A call to action

This article marks the beginning of a series on climate education. In the coming months, I plan to delve deeper into this topic. I invite you to share articles, books, and initiatives related to climate education in schools, universities, organisations, associations, and companies. Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or reach out via email. [15]

illuminem Voices is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Sustainability & Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.

References

1 Climate change denial - Wikipedia

2  What is climate misinformation, and why does it matter? – DW – 01/23/2024

3  Climate change: why is there still a gap between public opinion and scientific consensus, and how can we close it? (theconversation.com)

4  Sine qua non - Wikipedia

5  Global: number of pupils in secondary school | Statista, Higher education | UNESCO

6  Lives displaced and disrupted: how climate change threatens the right to education | UNESCO

7  Extreme heat adds challenges for August school start dates | illuminem

8 Note about the author: Andrea Licata (Ph.D.) has worked for universities, study centres, think tanks and museums in various European countries. Feel free to connect: Dr. Andrea Licata | LinkedIn

9  Simon Pirani, Burning up: A Global History of Fossil Fuel Consumption. Pluto Press, 2018, pp. 135-137

10  Public Understanding vs. Scientific Consensus - Yale Program on Climate Change Communication

11  Climate change undermines human rights (wmo.int), Climate change is a human rights issue.

12  Green Jobs: the only way to go | United Nations

13  High school students, frustrated by lack of climate education, press for change | AP News

14  Student activism - Wikipedia

15  Contact: andrea.licata@gmail.com