Transforming Schools and Communities to Address the Climate Crisis

Recent studies reveal a growing global concern among young people about climate change and its impact on their lives. Half of children worldwide report that climate-related anxiety affects their daily experiences, while 70% of youth question the quality of the climate education they receive. Despite widespread recognition of the issue, an analysis of curricula across 100 countries found that 47% made no reference to climate change-particularly in high-emission nations-while countries most affected by climate impacts were more likely to include it. Although 95% of teachers believe climate change education is essential, only 40% feel confident teaching it, just 55% have received relevant training, and fewer than half report that their schools have an action plan in place. This edited volume responds to these challenges by bringing together chapters written by teachers from multiple disciplines who share practical, classroom-based examples of how they and their students engage with the realities of climate change. Through lessons focused on the local impacts of extreme weather, sea-level rise, drought, heat, and wildfires-and their effects on lives, housing, food production, and health-these educators demonstrate how schools can empower students to understand, address, and act on the defining environmental issue of their time.