Did you know that not only students like us get report cards, but even governments do? Last year at COP28, the world received its climate report card, and it is disheartening to see how we have failed to keep our promises to build a healthy and resilient planet.
Imagine this was your report card day at school and your teacher told you and your parent that you have failed nearly all your subjects. What would you do? An appropriate response would be to apologize, try to explain yourself, and promise to work harder and improve.
Unfortunately, the climate report card got a rather lukewarm response from governments and some of the largest economies of the world – who can help save the world from the ongoing crisis. Lack of ambition, hopeful messages, and a lack of a fossil fuel phaseout caused an uproar among civil societies, climate activists, and community leaders at COP28.
It is scary as the climate crisis hangs above us and our lives continue to be threatened by multiple disasters.
Our region, East Asia and the Pacific, is one of the world’s disaster-prone regions and according to UNICEF’s “Over the Tipping Point” report over 580 million children face six times more climate hazards compared to their grandparents.
The climate crisis is a ticking time bomb for all of us, and when it explodes, it will hit women and children the hardest.
The big question is – do we just wait for things to change? How can we as young people be part of the solution? How can we participate and contribute more to this journey of change?
Climate Smart Education (CSE) can help us with vital tools and skills in this race against time. Contrary to the name, CSE goes beyond teaching and learning climate science in classrooms. For young people like us, CSE means learning the language of climate action and getting trained for green jobs, so we are able to contribute to the changing workforce. But more importantly, CSE is about more than just teaching us; it is about working with us.
When young people like us are seen as equal partners, we can bring our ideas, insights, lived experiences and a passion to this crisis that adults tend to overlook.
It is also critical to engage children and young people who are not in the formal education system. Approximately 144 million young people aged 15 – 24 in the Asia-Pacific region – representing 22 percent of this age group – are not in employment, education, or training. If we do not include them in the CSE programmes, we will not be able to secure their contributions to climate action.
Climate Smart Education will benefit everyone. Here’s how.
1. Firstly, it will help us prepare better for green jobs and shape the workforce to tackle the transition to cleaner energies and technologies. Over half of the world’s population is under 30, and this demographic will only grow with time. With the right skills, young people can help build a sustainable future.
For example, Mongolia’s energy sector, which produces over 60% of the country’s emissions, would immensely benefit from green job training. Teaching young people about sustainable energy production and eco-friendly farming could reduce emissions and spur economic growth. China's investment of $468 billion USD in its green economy has created over three million jobs in renewable energy, recycling, and sustainable technologies. Experts estimate that globally, up to 100 million green jobs could emerge in renewable energy and recycling --if young people get adequate training.
2. It will help young people contribute to local environmental solutions, such as recycling programmes, urban greening initiatives, or disaster preparedness. UNESCO’s Greening Education Partnership aims to have 90% of countries integrate climate-focused curricula by 2030. There are some countries which are already leading by example. For instance, in the Philippines, disaster risk reduction (DRR) has been integrated into the K-12 curriculum. Vietnam’s Safe School Initiative educates students in coastal areas about flood resilience.
3. It will create more equal opportunities for economic growth. The climate crisis is further worsening existing socioeconomic disparities, especially for marginalized groups. Women and girls are disproportionately affected, with climate disruptions threatening their education, increasing their chances of early marriages, and limiting job opportunities. Climate Smart Education can help young people, particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds, to adapt to a changing world and workforce. This helps economic growth and reducing socio-economic disparities.
The Way Forward
Climate Smart Education is a significant investment that can help children and young people become future-ready and adapt to a rapidly evolving world. By nurturing a generation that understands climate issues and is prepared to address them, we are laying the foundation for a more resilient future. The next generation does not deserve a failing climate report card, especially when they are not responsible for it.
Just as students improve their grades with hard work, we can also improve our climate report card through targeted investments in Climate Smart education. This will take commitments and support from governments, communities, and young people like us. Together, we can earn a better climate grade for East Asia and the Pacific and the world.
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References:
Background:
SAFER, GREENER SCHOOLS FOR EVERY CHILD
Preparing for Green Jobs:
Why Are Green Skills Important for Youth?
Green Jobs Mapping in Mongolia
Incorporating in School Curricula:
Greening every curriculum | UNESCO
About DepEd DRRMS | Department of Education
DRRMS Strategic Plan & Achievements
Learning to overcome natural disaster challenges | UNICEF Viet Nam
School Reconstruction - Happy Hearts Indonesia
EiM unveils Singapore's first net zero international school building
