Analysis: while climate education in schools is crucial, we all need to increase our carbon literacy
There is little doubt that we need an education system to prepare all young people to live in a changing climate. However, climate education in Ireland is currently more a matter of luck rather than design. From outdated text books on climate science, to removing geography as a core subject in the Junior Cycle, there is a growing list of problems with how climate science is taught in schools according to researchers and commentators.
Despite this, many young people are painfully aware of the scale and urgency of climate crisis. The youth movement has transformed public and policy debate about climate change through global protests and the Fridays for Future school strikes. As a result, the climate emergency is now firmly on the public agenda.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, 38% of energy related emissions in Ireland are heat-related
The emphasis on educating young people arises out of the belief that young people with more knowledge will be in a position to make more sustainable choices in the future. But education also needs to prepare young people to cope with an increasingly uncertain future climate and the ecological grief brought on by contemplating a dying planet. Therefore, one of the most urgent climate-related issues education should tackle is the rising levels of eco-anxiety, which experts describe as psychological distress due to our changing climate.
Several studies, including two published in the Lancet, confirm the extent of climate grief among young people globally. These surveys note that it is the perceived lack of government action and a sense of betrayal, rather than fear of climate disaster and breakdown, that is the biggest cause of eco anxiety for many young people.
According to psychotherapist Caroline Hickman, lead of author of a study of 10,000 young people in 10 countries, eco-anxiety is a rational response to the climate crisis and shows awareness of the situation we face. Hickman argues young people need to learn about emotional resilience and how to cope with uncomfortable feelings as part of the curriculum.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's News At One, Cian McCormack looks at the issue of climate anxiety
Last year, 350 youth delegates from 141 countries met online for a Mock COP. Young people produced their own treaty with 18 policies, the first of which focuses on education policy. They argued that the current siloed approach, in which climate education is confined primarily to the physical sciences and geography, means that many young people may not learn about climate change. As a result, they recommend that climate change education needs to be included in every subject, from English to Economics.
Innovative approaches to engaging young people with climate change also have a role. The Coastal Communities Adapting Together (CCAT) project has produced a number of resources to help to raise awareness of coastal climate impacts and to involve young people in local planning for climate adaptations.
The project ran a series of Minecraft education workshops in Fingal which gave young people the opportunity to develop environmental design solutions which fed into the council's local consultation process. The project also produced an animation, Sea Change Take Action, which explains coastal climate impacts and the need for adaptation. Ireland's Cool Planet Experience also produced an online climate education course which is currently used by over 3,000 transition year students.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Today With Claire Byrne, how green is your transport?
But as a group, young people have the least power to limit environmental harms, at least in the short-term. Adults, on the other hand, have considerable consumer and political power to enact change, but often know very little about how to reduce their carbon emissions. Here are 5 ways to increase your carbon literacy and more to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Food
We all need to learn more about the climate impact of food. Food waste contributes to global carbon emissions. The average Irish household throws out 150 kg of food waste each year. To help reduce emissions, plan your meals and try to include more plant-based dishes. If possible, support local growers or food-sharing initiatives, join a community growing project and buy in-season food.
Shopping
Recycling is important, but we also need to question our consumer habits and learn more about zero-waste shopping. If we're serious about tackling climate change, consumer power is needed to persuade retailers to reduce plastic and to increase availability of repair services and reusable (or pre-loved) products.
Travel
Walking and cycling are good for the environment and good for your health. Support initiatives for safer, sustainable transport options. If your journey is under 20 minutes, ditch the car and try public transport or car share for shopping and school runs.
Energy
We know we need to 'go green’ at home and switch to renewables. While retrofitting and e-vehicles are big investments that will be out of reach for many, how often do we consider the energy use of our entertainment habits? We can all learn more about the carbon intensity of our constant data use and try to cut down on social media and online shopping.
Just Transition
Reducing carbon emissions in response to the climate emergency will transform how we live. These changes will have impacts on high polluting industries and their workers as well as our household budgets. This means that we need to ensure there is retraining for workers to enter the new so-called green and blue sectors. We also need to make retrofitting more affordable and protect people from energy poverty. As a society, we have to ensure that a low carbon future is a better future for all.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
