Greening the Curriculum: Empowering Future Leaders through Climate Education.
By Astrid | 14 years old | Adelaide/Tartanya
‘One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world’ is a direct quote spoken from the mouth of education activist Malala Yousufzai.
Malala is an international hero not because she saved lives, but because she fights for our schooling, she fights for our voice and she fights for our right to equality and power.
I believe that every single politician and powerful leader should read this submission because this submission contains the solution to a problem we have been trying to solve since the 1980s- climate change. The solution to this global war against the planet is simple and cheap – climate education in schools.
One of the biggest issues facing young people today is climate anxiety.
In 2022, a study done by Mission Australia found that out of 18,800 young people over two-thirds (65%) were concerned about climate change and 26% were extremely concerned about climate change. This evidence shows that young people care about this problem and want to see change.
Young people today are left out when it comes to coming up with solutions when tackling climate change, that is because we have no power. We are usually still living at home, we attend school fulltime and have little financial income. Young people are advocating for change, but aren’t taken seriously because of a lack of knowledge. Why do we have a lack of knowledge around climate change? Because we are not taught about it in school.
If we were taught about climate change and its effects and how we can reduce CO2 in our daily lives, this would give us the power to create change and therefore influence people in power.
Young people spend approximately 2, 470 days at school. If we were to include one lesson a fortnight about climate change, environmental science, and endangered species, by the time we graduate Year 12 we will have everything we need to lead the next generation into a climate healthy future.
The children of today will deal with the consequences of the decisions that the Australian Government makes today. We care about this issue and want our voices heard, and it’s about time you took us seriously.
Having a climate education program will reduce confusion and fear around climate change and help people take direct action. The United Nation’s believe that climate change education will change attitudes and help people make informed decisions.
If young people are educated about the impact of petrol cars, they might choose to buy an electric. If people know how methane impacts the atmosphere, they might become vegetarian. People aren’t ignorant of climate change and they want to make the right decisions. Often people are looking for ways to reduce carbon emissions, but just don’t know how to do it. All the science is there, we just have to give it to the people. Climate education won’t only help unsure people, it will help people who are trying to help even more. This program would build on skills we are already taught such as communication and innovation and compliment specialised programs already in place to empower us.
In conclusion, climate change education is essential for a carbon neutral future.
We need powerful, educated young people if we want to make a difference and time is running out. If you want our help, you need to help schools educate us before it’s too late.
The views expressed in AYAC’S youth blog are personal and and not an endorsement of AYAC; we value and encourage the diverse perspectives of young people.