With the emergence of climate change, it has now become a major concern for the environment. As the causes mostly involve human activities, various countries are taking initiatives to defeat the situation. It can be improved quickly if individuals are encouraged to understand about the severe issue from school level. However, few schools are implementing steps to initiate sustainability, but there’s still a huge gap out there to bring changes to certain things. Ms. Prathiba V, Principal, Chinmaya Vidyalaya Vaduthala, have explained ways on how climate change education can be integrated in schools.
What resources can be used to teach climate change in schools?
Resources that can be used to mitigate climate change:-
Specially designed text books for every grade that focuses on climate change.
Online courses and modules on climate change.
Reliable scientific data and research articles are made use of in classroom discussions.
Documentaries, films and educational games that are related to climate concerns.
We collaborate with NGOs and no .profit agencies to benefit from their resources and guidance.
Virtual field trips are undertaken to explore diverse ecosystems and learn about possible and workable solutions.
What initiatives can one take to encourage students to address climate change in schools?
Students can be made aware of the magnitude of the problems created by humanity’s reckless activities intervening with natural processes. They can be encouraged to participate in insightful green initiatives.
Nature club can play a pivotal role in charting out an annual green calendar for the school with thought infusing activities for different grades.
The club can sync its activities with organisations such as TERI, dedicated to mitigating climate change.
Each department can devote a lion’s share of its annual plan of action be it classroom activities or subject related important days to integrate inhouse climate curriculum with mainstream events.
Class assemblies can be streamlined effectively to highlight the needs of the blue planet.
Waste reduction can be emphasized through the school’s mandate policy programs.
The urge to green commitments can be reflected in birthday celebrations, invitation card designing and event hosting etc which give room for proactive measures to ensure a healthy climate for posterity.
The school can provide project based learning in different subjects that focuses on sustainability.
What strategies can a school follow to implement climate change education?
An inhouse curriculum for climate change education can be made feasible through the concerted efforts of all the departments.
Faculty improvement programmes in the school give a significant place to provide professional development opportunities to teachers to teach topics related to climate change effectively.
Experiential teaching methods such as field trips, experiments etc are followed to demonstrate the impact of climate change.
Technology is used judiciously to deepen students’ understanding of climate concepts.
Green auditing that encourages the students to analyse data, evaluate evidence and use critical thinking skills are adopted in the school.
Students are empowered to take action by participating in campaigning and implementing sustainability practices within the school.
Ms. Prathiba V is an experienced educationist and a school leader. She is also the Principal of Chinmaya Vidyalaya Vaduthala, Ernakulam, Kerala.
