3 Reasons Why Climate Education Is Essential

Climate change is no longer a buzzword but a living reality. Heatwaves in the UK, bomb cyclones in the US, and floods in Pakistan are proof enough of where we are headed. But we continue oscillating between activism and denialism as far as climate strategy is concerned. That’s because awareness about the subject needs to be mainstream, still. So, how can we do it? Here’s what Climatora suggests : Make climate education an essential subject in school curriculum : Just as STEAM is fundamental to the school education system, so should climate education be. Good that the United Nations is calling for schools to have climate education compulsorily by 2025. And while it can start with an overall global picture, enough and more efforts should be made to regionalize and localize the context for students to relate to and act. Incentivise upskilling for climate jobs : According to Linked in Jobs Reports, the next big wave of job openings would be in the climate space. It’s already significant, and there need to be more requirements for the availability of skilled people in the sector, just by sheer nos. The World Economic Forum has predicted around 12 million job requirements in the next year alone. In this context, the Carbon Accounting Module launched by Climatora assumes significance. This course will help one get the basics of carbon accountancy right. It is the first step in measuring and evaluating the climate change effects on the organization and the solutions to mitigate it. Build strong connections between industry and academia : On one hand, are industries with ‘net zero’ targets, and on the other hand, are graduates with a high unemployability ratio due to a lack of 21st-century skills. Climate change is a space where the golden handshake can happen with the industry helping skill the graduates or upskilling their employees in the climate space and absorbing the graduates or improving the job prospects of their employees. Internships in these organizations at the center of many climate action projects would help the learners gain real-life experience, which is critical to any education around climate change. Climate education is a need of the hour, right from the primaries to a lifelong learning process. And it’s best done sooner than later.