How Does Climate Education Relate to a Green Economy? By Grace Cooper
According to the UN, a green economy is defined as “low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive”. A green economy is fuelled by public and private investment into economic activities and infrastructure that facilitate the reduction of carbon and pollution while encouraging energy and resource efficiency. A green economy puts people and the planet first. Thus promoting human well-being and reducing inequalities without increasing environmental risks and ecological destruction. Currently, the education system globally is failing to educate young people about the climate crisis and the strategies that could be implemented to tackle it, including the creation of a green economy.
Most high-level decision-makers are educated at university. However, school curricula across all subjects, do not align with the actions required to address the climate emergency and ecological crisis. Many universities are influenced by large corporations who actively work against the advice of the world’s leading climate scientists to stay within the 1.5-degree Celsius warming limit. Thus, sustainability and the green economy are not discussed in classrooms. Therefore, this knowledge is not readily available to all children and young people in formal education. Higher education institutions should be driving research and the implementation of green economy initiatives.
Comprehensive climate education allows students to make informed decisions and equips them with the tools required to tackle the consequences of global warming. Educated students are more likely to pursue green careers and establish companies with sustainable approaches. Additionally, comprehensive climate education, particularly university level, can be successful in cutting off the supply of highly educated individuals to the heavy carbon and fossil fuel industry. If informed graduates consistently pursue careers in green industries, the transition to a green economy will be smoother and faster. Thus, the education of current and future students could significantly contribute to the creation of a more sustainable green economy.
Grace Cooper
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