Environmental Education: An Essential Requirement for a Sustainable Future

Schools represent the ideal place to start this process. School curricula have the capacity to incorporate climate change as a central and interdisciplinary topic.

Understanding that the effective response to the ecological crisis is largely the result of an informed and conscious citizenry aware of the repercussions of their decisions and actions on the natural environment, it is imperative to consider the fundamental role of environmental education.

This type of education has the potential to empower individuals, transforming their thinking paradigms and, consequently, their behaviors. The formation of a global citizenry that understands the implications of their actions on nature is essential to effectively combat climate change. In this context, environmental education could act as a catalyst, igniting individual commitment and responsibility in this crucial battle.

Education on climate issues offers undeniable benefits. By instructing future generations about the science supporting climate change, they are provided a solid foundation to understand the challenges we face. Likewise, by allowing them to learn about solutions to the climate crisis, they are given the possibility and the hope of being change agents. This goes beyond providing information; it is about fostering a sense of responsibility and urgency, and inspiring future generations to act to safeguard their future.

Schools represent the ideal place to start this process. School curricula have the capacity to incorporate climate change as a central and interdisciplinary topic. This is not only about teaching environmental sciences, but integrating sustainability and climate responsibility into all subjects, from mathematics to literature. This holistic approach allows students to understand the relationship between their actions and the world around them, promoting a sustainability mindset.

However, instruction on climate change should not be limited to classrooms. Parents, the media, civil society organizations, and community leaders also play a crucial role. All of us, as a society, have the responsibility to teach, learn, talk, and act based on climate change.

Environmental education goes beyond mere knowledge of the causes and effects of global warming, biodiversity loss, or pollution. It involves understanding how our existence is inseparably linked to the natural world and how our actions, both big and small, can affect that fragile balance. This form of education is crucial not only to form well-informed individuals but also to cultivate a society that values and respects the integrity of the natural world.

The strength of environmental education lies in its ability to catalyze changes in people's attitudes and behaviors. With a solid understanding of environmental issues and their consequences, individuals are better prepared to make informed decisions in their daily life that promote sustainability. These decisions can range from everyday actions, such as recycling and reducing water and energy consumption, to more meaningful life choices, like supporting sustainable policies and companies.

Environmental education also plays a crucial role in inspiring future generations. Young people, as heirs to our planet, have an essential role in the fight against climate change. Through environmental education, we can empower them with the knowledge and skills necessary to face the environmental challenges of their time. Moreover, by fostering a sense of responsibility and connection with the natural world, we can inspire young people to be advocates for sustainability.

While environmental education is not the only solution to this crisis, it constitutes an indispensable component of our collective response. Through environmental education, we can cultivate a global society that is informed, committed, and capable of acting sustainably. The future of our planet largely depends on the education and actions of present and future generations. Therefore, making environmental education a priority is an imperative for our sustainable future.

Worldwide, we are witnessing significant expressions of commitment to climate action through environmental education. For instance, in Sweden, the school strike for the climate movement, initiated by Greta Thunberg, has sensitized millions of young people and has placed climate change on the global political agenda in a way that few other movements have achieved.

In Portugal, specifically in the Municipality of Marco de Canaveses, the youth organization ZORA- Movimento associativo de jovenes marcoenses promotes debates on climate and environmental justice through environmental education, in addition to fostering awareness in the community through activities that promote intervention in public space for its transformation into a sustainable space.

In Africa, the Miti Alliance Foundation in Kenya is educating young people about the importance of reforestation and teaching them how to plant trees to combat deforestation and climate change. This initiative has reached thousands of students and has resulted in the planting of numerous trees, demonstrating the power of hands-on, participatory education.

In Asia, in India, the organization "Teach for Green" is working to incorporate climate change education in schools, training students to be tomorrow's environmental leaders. They have developed a curriculum that focuses on sustainability, renewable energy, and water conservation, providing young people with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle climate change.

In Latin America, in Chile, the Ministry of Education has introduced a new school curriculum that includes education on climate change and sustainability. This is a significant step towards creating informed citizens who are aware of the climate crisis.
These examples illustrate that change is possible and already underway. Education and awareness-raising about climate change are beginning to bear fruit, and we have every reason to be optimistic about the future. However, we cannot afford complacency. We must intensify our efforts and ensure that every child, in every corner of the world, has access to quality climate education.

Education and awareness about the ecological crisis are not the only solution, but they are a crucial part of the response. They offer us the opportunity to inspire future generations to take action, to empower them to be part of the solution, and to cultivate a sustainability mindset that will be vital in the coming years.

We need to seize this opportunity. We must make environmental education a priority. Because, at the end of the day, the fight against this multidimensional crisis is a fight for our future, and it's a fight we can't afford to lose.

Rosmel Rodríguez
European Union Climate Pact Ambassador