Education Is Another Casualty Of The Climate Crisis
More often than not, when we think of the damage caused by climate change, our minds quickly go to repercussions like natural disasters, such as floods or earthquakes. However, the truth is that the threat of climate change is already being felt in the classrooms by students worldwide, with reportedly nearly half of the world's 2.2 billion children being at "extremely high risk" for climate change, according to UNICEF's first child-focused climate risk index[1].
From cries from educators to calls for legislation that addresses and brings awareness to the widespread problem, our wake-up call is here and demands our immediate attention. Education isn't just another casualty of climate change—but one of our best opportunities to combat it.
Examining The Impact Of Climate Change On Education
The more education and climate change are cross-examined, the harder it becomes to deny that the two are inextricably linked. Let's explore a few ways challenges manifest in the classroom under the weight of the climate crisis:
Increased Disrupted Learning Environments
Can you imagine making it to class during a hurricane or concentrating on an assignment when the only thing you can focus on is the sweltering heat?
This is a harsh reality for countless students living in areas of the world prone to extreme weather events. Inarguably, the climate crisis becomes a child's rights crisis when millions of children are highly exposed to traumatic climate events such as coastal flooding, cyclones, lead pollution, heat waves, water scarcity, and other environmental hazards that keep them out of the classrooms.
The Loss Of Educational Infrastructure And Resources
What happens when destructive weather tears through communities, destroying school buildings in its path? Books, technology, and other learning materials are directly affected, if not ruined, by extreme weather events[2]. Not to mention, schools that serve as emergency shelters during disasters can not operate normally, leaving students without access to the education they deserve.
Increased Health Hazards And Absenteeism
Climate change isn't just about weather. It's also about the rising risk of health problems that comes with it. According to much research[3], extreme weather poses a threat to food security and nutrition, which can lead to poor performance both physically and mentally in school—neither of which is conducive to learning.
The Effects On Global Youth
The next generation, more than any other, carries the burden of a world grappling with environmental changes, and the effects of this shouldn't go unnoticed.
Climate anxiety, a recent buzzword, is a real concern among young people. Between the constant fear of the state of the world coupled with ongoing distressing news, it's no surprise that climate change poses serious mental health concerns. And unfortunately, the climate crisis only exacerbates existing inequalities among groups.
For example, Native and Indigenous populations are already showing signs of more climate-related displacement and depression[4]. As for education, the most vulnerable are also hit the hardest. These communities may lack the resources to rebuild schools, provide mental health support, or ensure that education continues in the face of climate-related disasters.
As the problem of climate change continues to worsen, economies are also affected worldwide, leaving young people to feel limited as they assess career and economic opportunities. Diminished agricultural yields, disrupted supply chains, and the need for climate adaptation measures all impact the job market. This pressing uncertainty about the future can dissuade young people from pursuing higher education and career goals.
Education Is Key To Fighting Climate Change, What Can Be Done?
We know that change needs to happen now. Education, paradoxically, holds both the key to combating climate change and safeguarding future generations, so here's what we believe governments, policymakers, and organizations can do to change the tide:
- Integrate climate education into schools’ curriculum to empower students to be informed, engaged citizens.
- Invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, provide adequate and accessible mental health support to students, and place safeguards to ensure education remains accessible despite climate change.
- Foster collaboration between schools, communities, and organizations to raise awareness and mobilize resources to address challenges posed by climate change in education.
In conclusion, at the intersection of climate change and education is a pressing concern that demands our immediate attention. It's important that we recognize that education is a powerful tool for change and our most important weapon against the climate crisis. With continued awareness and effort, we envision a future where the world's youth can be champions of a more resilient, greener world.
Key Takeaways
- The next generation is the most important generation, and safeguarding their education should be at the forefront of our fight against climate change.
- Education is a high privilege millions around the world unfortunately do not have the ability to obtain. Whether from environmental severities, poor access, or low opportunity rates. Global youth is in need of community interference and assistance, by pushing our involvement, change can ensue.
- Remember to educate yourself on the current global natural phenomena. This can help us fully understand the conditions in which these communities reside, and better help us create programs, initiatives, and projects to help them combat any consequence from the climate crisis.
More often than not, when we think of the damage caused by climate change, our minds quickly go to repercussions like natural disasters, such as floods or earthquakes. However, the truth is that the threat of climate change is already being felt in the classrooms by students worldwide, with reportedly nearly half of the world's 2.2 billion children being at "extremely high risk" for climate change, according to UNICEF's first child-focused climate risk index[1].
From cries from educators to calls for legislation that addresses and brings awareness to the widespread problem, our wake-up call is here and demands our immediate attention. Education isn't just another casualty of climate change—but one of our best opportunities to combat it.
Examining The Impact Of Climate Change On Education
The more education and climate change are cross-examined, the harder it becomes to deny that the two are inextricably linked. Let's explore a few ways challenges manifest in the classroom under the weight of the climate crisis:
Increased Disrupted Learning Environments
Can you imagine making it to class during a hurricane or concentrating on an assignment when the only thing you can focus on is the sweltering heat?
This is a harsh reality for countless students living in areas of the world prone to extreme weather events. Inarguably, the climate crisis becomes a child's rights crisis when millions of children are highly exposed to traumatic climate events such as coastal flooding, cyclones, lead pollution, heat waves, water scarcity, and other environmental hazards that keep them out of the classrooms.
The Loss Of Educational Infrastructure And Resources
What happens when destructive weather tears through communities, destroying school buildings in its path? Books, technology, and other learning materials are directly affected, if not ruined, by extreme weather events[2]. Not to mention, schools that serve as emergency shelters during disasters can not operate normally, leaving students without access to the education they deserve.
Increased Health Hazards And Absenteeism
Climate change isn't just about weather. It's also about the rising risk of health problems that comes with it. According to much research[3], extreme weather poses a threat to food security and nutrition, which can lead to poor performance both physically and mentally in school—neither of which is conducive to learning.
The Effects On Global Youth
The next generation, more than any other, carries the burden of a world grappling with environmental changes, and the effects of this shouldn't go unnoticed.
Climate anxiety, a recent buzzword, is a real concern among young people. Between the constant fear of the state of the world coupled with ongoing distressing news, it's no surprise that climate change poses serious mental health concerns. And unfortunately, the climate crisis only exacerbates existing inequalities among groups.
For example, Native and Indigenous populations are already showing signs of more climate-related displacement and depression[4]. As for education, the most vulnerable are also hit the hardest. These communities may lack the resources to rebuild schools, provide mental health support, or ensure that education continues in the face of climate-related disasters.
As the problem of climate change continues to worsen, economies are also affected worldwide, leaving young people to feel limited as they assess career and economic opportunities. Diminished agricultural yields, disrupted supply chains, and the need for climate adaptation measures all impact the job market. This pressing uncertainty about the future can dissuade young people from pursuing higher education and career goals.
Education Is Key To Fighting Climate Change, What Can Be Done?
We know that change needs to happen now. Education, paradoxically, holds both the key to combating climate change and safeguarding future generations, so here's what we believe governments, policymakers, and organizations can do to change the tide:
1. Integrate climate education into schools’ curriculum to empower students to be informed, engaged citizens.
2. Invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, provide adequate and accessible mental health support to students, and place safeguards to ensure education remains accessible despite climate change.
3. Foster collaboration between schools, communities, and organizations to raise awareness and mobilize resources to address challenges posed by climate change in education.
In conclusion, at the intersection of climate change and education is a pressing concern that demands our immediate attention. It's important that we recognize that education is a powerful tool for change and our most important weapon against the climate crisis. With continued awareness and effort, we envision a future where the world's youth can be champions of a more resilient, greener world.
Key Takeaways
- The next generation is the most important generation, and safeguarding their education should be at the forefront of our fight against climate change.
- Education is a high privilege millions around the world unfortunately do not have the ability to obtain. Whether from environmental severities, poor access, or low opportunity rates. Global youth is in need of community interference and assistance, by pushing our involvement, change can ensue.
- Remember to educate yourself on the current global natural phenomena. This can help us fully understand the conditions in which these communities reside, and better help us create programs, initiatives, and projects to help them combat any consequence from the climate crisis.
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