What is the relevance of the climate crisis to education?
The climate crisis is the most significant threat confronting humanity, and children and young people stand to lose the most if we fail to address it. With little time left to change direction and keep the global temperature rise below +1.5°C, addressing climate change is more essential than ever. Education has a major role to play in helping to address climate change, enabling learners to understand the climate emergency and ecological crisis and think critically about how they can play their part as we seek to move to a more sustainable world and a better future for them. Read more HERE
News & Updates
NEU Action Taken So Far...
The NEU passed a motion at the 2022 annual conferences to commit resources to campaign
to tackle issues related to the climate and ecological emergency. In particular the motion calls for a
new legislative framework for transition and the implantation of the Education International
manifesto call for quality climate change education for every student.
Read more HERE
"The climate crisis is unfolding before our eyes. Each year we see its effects intensifying,
both at home and abroad, with storms, heatwaves, wildfires and storms devastating
communities. The commitment to sustainability and the net zero transition requires deep
change across every aspect of our lives, beginning with the way we educate our children.
Sustainability and environmental education must be embedded throughout the curriculum and must focus beyond simply transferring knowledge. Young people must be empowered to bring about change, with educators free to support the widest and most open discussions.
The Department for Education’s final Climate Strategy, due to be published by the end of April 2022, should be a turning point. However, the draft strategy – as published in November 2021 – although making some positive steps towards taking the action needed to meet the challenges ahead, fell short of what is needed to bring about transformative change.
Young people are deeply concerned about the climate crisis and are seeking to shape and influence decisions which will impact their future. We urge the Government to listen to the voices of young people and their educators. The next generation needs to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to tackle the climate crisis – and our schools and educators must be adequately resourced and supported in delivering this."
Sustainability and environmental education must be embedded throughout the curriculum and must focus beyond simply transferring knowledge. Young people must be empowered to bring about change, with educators free to support the widest and most open discussions.
The Department for Education’s final Climate Strategy, due to be published by the end of April 2022, should be a turning point. However, the draft strategy – as published in November 2021 – although making some positive steps towards taking the action needed to meet the challenges ahead, fell short of what is needed to bring about transformative change.
Young people are deeply concerned about the climate crisis and are seeking to shape and influence decisions which will impact their future. We urge the Government to listen to the voices of young people and their educators. The next generation needs to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to tackle the climate crisis – and our schools and educators must be adequately resourced and supported in delivering this."
Kevin Courtney
Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union
Groups & Further Reading
The National Education Union Climate Network is a national group within the NEU, which meets regularly to campaign for education to meet the challenges of the climate crisis.
Contact: neuclimatechangenetwork@googlegroups.com
to be added to the mailing list.
