Face Off: Should schools be required to have a subject dedicated to climate change?
Each week, two readers discuss a hot topic in a parliamentary-style debate that doesn’t necessarily reflect their personal viewpoints.
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For: Heer Donda, 14, King George V School
As each year becomes the hottest on record, the issue of climate change has never been so grave. Raising awareness and taking action for our planet is essential and we must take the correct steps to educate children from a young age.
Although some argue that creating a climate-focused subject in schools is unnecessary, we must not understate the consequences of environmental issues.
According to Nasa Earth Observatory, Nasa’s online publishing outlet, the average global temperature has increased by at least 1.1 degrees Celsius since 1880. This has led to floods, increased evaporation rates and more extreme weather conditions with severe consequences.
Schools incorporate the topic into other relevant subjects, but such a severe issue calls for its own subject. A climate change-dedicated subject could involve more specialised teachers and better resources to educate students.
Rather than the topic coming up sporadically, a focused class ensures consistent engagement throughout the school year. It would allow for updated numbers and frequent discussion, inspiring students to learn and care.
Although learning resources would need to be redistributed and even used up, our planet is unquestionably worth the time and effort. Reducing lesson time from other subjects is certainly outweighed by the loss of entire ecosystems.
A subject dedicated to climate change would overlap with economics, politics, science, geography and visual art. It would teach students to approach the issue from multiple angles, honing their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Data USA – a data-sharing platform from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Deloitte – states that the number of environmental science graduates in America only grew by 5.29 per cent between 2021 and 2022. A secondary school subject specially designed for climate change would increase interest in the field and introduce students to future job roles like climate scientists and non-profit ambassadors.
As global temperatures rise at an alarming rate, climate change is rapidly worsening. Encouraging young students to be interested in these issues could travel far beyond the classroom and lead to considerable recovery for our ailing planet. Schools are among the most powerful places to raise substantial awareness and generate the change we have needed for so long.
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Against: Amina Seyd, 16, HHCKLA Buddhist Leung Chik Wai College
According to news organisation Education Week, a survey by the North American Association for Environmental Education found that most teachers (nearly 80 per cent) believe it is important to teach students the science behind climate change and its effects on the planet and society.
However, only 21 per cent of surveyed teachers felt “very informed” about climate change, and three-quarters said they had never received any professional training on how to teach it. This lack of confidence is a significant barrier to effective climate education.
Instead of a dedicated subject, University College London (UCL) experts recommend integrating climate-related content across subjects, from science and geography to history, economics and the arts.
This interdisciplinary approach allows students to explore climate change’s complex, interconnected nature and develop a more holistic understanding. For example, in a history class, students could examine how past civilisations have responded to environmental change.
Results from a study by the UCL Centre for Climate Change & Sustainability Education suggest embedding climate change and sustainability across the entire curriculum, rather than concentrating it in science and geography, would empower more young people to take action.
The researchers argue that current climate change education focuses more on numbers and less on the issue’s urgency, failing to equip students with the knowledge and skills to address it.
By integrating climate change education throughout the curriculum, schools can ensure that all students, regardless of their academic interests or career aspirations, have the opportunity to engage with this critical issue.
This approach also allows for the incorporation of diverse perspectives, including those of marginalised communities and indigenous knowledge, which can provide valuable insights into the impacts and solutions to climate change.
While the need for climate education in schools is clear, a dedicated subject may not be the most effective solution.
By integrating climate-related content across multiple disciplines, schools can better prepare students to understand, engage with and take action on climate change.