Changing Course on Climate

The global publishing and assessment arm of the University of Cambridge is calling on teachers in 160 countries to help improve climate change education for nearly a million 3-19 year-olds.

The International Education group at Cambridge University Press & Assessment said this week it is advancing work on climate change education by inviting leaders and educators worldwide to collaborate on developing its programmes.

One of the world's oldest publishing houses said it is working with the University's climate change initiative, Cambridge Zero, to combine academic expertise from Cambridge with the experience of the educators, policymakers and thought leaders in 10,000 schools around the world.

Education is recognised as a major strategy in tackling climate change because it plays a crucial role in equipping current and future generations with the knowledge and skills needed to address climate-related challenges at local, national, and global levels.

“Education is an essential tool for combating climate change but its potential is still far from being realised," said Rod Smith, Group Managing Director for International Education at Cambridge University Press & Assessment.

"We want to build a community of educators and leaders to influence the direction of climate change education that will empower current and future generations to respond and be ready for the world.”

In the first instance, education leaders with an active interest in shaping the direction of teaching, learning and assessment of international climate change education have been invited to share their views.

They have been asked to comment on a new introduction paper, complete a questionnaire about their climate change education experience and take part in online discussion sessions hosted by Cambridge.

The new paper, "Ready for the world: empowering learners through climate change education", explains how Cambridge is working to embed climate change education across the curriculum for 3 -19 year olds in subjects beyond those commonly associated with climate change such as Geography or Science.

This multi-disciplinary approach aims to equip learners both with knowledge about climate change, and with the values, attitudes and skills to understand and address climate change.

"Nearly a million learners in 160 countries will be better equipped to address the challenges of climate change with the knowledge and skills we aim to support in every curriculum in the thousands of schools using Cambridge programmes and resources," said Cambridge Zero Head of Education and Student Engagement Dr Amy Munro-Faure.

Cambridge’s Global Director for Climate Education, Christine Özden said she has heard from hundreds of students worldwide, who are passionate about making a difference on climate change.

“To achieve its aims, climate change education needs to be high quality, holistic across the curriculum and school ages, and set global issues in a local context."