Climate change is perhaps…

Climate change is perhaps the most complex and wide-reaching challenge facing humankind today. It is increasingly affecting human health, species distribution and the ability of the earth’s ecosystems to sustain our physical, economic, social and environmental needs. The socio-economic impacts of climate change are countless; droughts, hailstorms, floods, mudslides, heat waves and other types of catastrophes around the world claim thousands of lives and cost tens of billions of dollars every year. It is expected that the frequency and severity of natural catastrophes will continue to rise, especially for floods, heavy storms and wildfires. Ontario has seen the impacts of climate change increase over the last number of years.

Moving Ontario toward a clean environment and a sustainable economy will require support and buy-in at all levels of Ontario’s society. This will entail a huge increase in “climate literacy” as well as a significant transition toward more sustainable lifestyles, supported by the transition to a green economy. Given the scale of the changes we need to make in Ontario’s society to reduce the risk of climate change, it is essential that the young generation is equipped to take on this challenge. No drive towards a low-carbon future can be complete without buy-in at the educational level, where young citizens of Ontario are incubating ideas, defining values, and gaining skills that will serve them now and throughout their lives.

The crucial discussion of how we deal with climate change is an educational imperative . The issue is both challenging and complex. Climate change learning involves understanding concepts and processes that cross traditional disciplines, and it requires that people to become systems thinkers. While climate change presents educators with daunting challenges, these challenges also present valuable opportunities to evolve teaching, engage in cross-curricular learning, and connect students to real-world issues so that they have a sound understanding of climate change and get involved in contributing to solutions in their schools, communities and homes.

In the new Climate Change policy and program, the Ontario Government should identify climate change education as a priority area. School facilities and procurement policies must support low carbon choices. Climate change literacy and community action must be reflected across the K-12 curriculum in all subjects. In the 21st century, understanding and addressing climate change are as important as reading and math, and must be given equal importance in education policy.

In July 2018, The Canadian Teachers’ Federation voted to make climate change education a key priority area for teachers across Canada. The results of Canada’s first National Climate Literacy Survey will be released this fall. The purpose of this national survey is to gain an understanding of current levels of knowledge and perceptions of climate change among the general public, parents, youth and educators and to assess the education system’s role in addressing climate change education. The unique survey results will be extremely valuable to individuals and institutions seeking to enhance their ability to understand, raise awareness of, communicate about, and motivate action on climate change.