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Young people call for climate change education to adapt

To coincide with the UN Summit of the Future in New York (22-23 September) and COP29 (11-22 November) we are using our voices to urge governments to prioritize action for a shared, sustainable future by strengthening climate change education.

Education is often overlooked in the fight against climate change. However, by equipping ourselves with knowledge and skills, we can become empowered changemakers and help address climate change now.

We need a seismic shift to mobilize the true potential of climate change education. now monitors green content in national curriculum frameworks and science and social science curricula. It shows that climate change education, where available, is inadequate and not motivating climate action. 

When a student learns the science of climate change, they must also learn how to be part of the solution. Starting from early childhood, climate themes should permeate every subject, grade level and debate. Climate change education within the science lab needs to be framed by real world problems and solutions, referring to our local communities, and waking us up to our collective responsibility to act across social, economic, demographic, and justice dimensions. 

We all need to be equipped  to deal with emotions that come with a better understanding of climate change, and empowered  to have conversations about our changing planet. In addition, educational institutions can set an example by implementing sustainable practices and reducing their carbon footprint.

Together, let's advocate for more comprehensive, holistic and effective climate change education to pave the way for a more sustainable future for all.

We call on governments to:

1. Improve green education content: 
   Governments must embed environment, sustainability, biodiversity, and climate change education into their curricula in all subjects at all levels.
2. Connect education to the outside world: 
   Governments need to make the shift from teaching about to teaching how to adapt and act in the face of climate change. Educators and education leaders should incorporate locally and nationally contextualized, social-emotional and action-oriented climate education into the classroom in all subjects and at all levels.
3. Improve cohesion: 
   Education is part of the solution to climate change. Stop the silos that treat education as separate from other climate mitigation activities so that we can work together to find solutions.
4. Monitor uptake of green education content: 
   Governments and civil society should regularly report on the breadth and depth of green content in school curricula at all levels.
5. Make room at the table: 
   Governments need to meaningfully engage with youth in designing and delivering climate change education to ensure that education systems are meeting the needs of 21st century learners.