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To: Hon Jason Clare MP, Federal Minister for Education
Climate Education in Australia
Dear Minister Clare,
Currently, climate change education is not mandatory in the Australian F-12 curriculum.
This is deeply concerning and neglects Australia's international obligations under Article 12 of the Paris Agreement, Article 4(i) of the UNFCCC, and Article 29 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In your first speech, you said:
Currently, climate change education is not mandatory in the Australian F-12 curriculum.
This is deeply concerning and neglects Australia's international obligations under Article 12 of the Paris Agreement, Article 4(i) of the UNFCCC, and Article 29 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In your first speech, you said:
"Our education system is the most powerful cause for good in this country... let us be the government that unleashes the potential of the next generation."
Without climate change education, that potential is suppressed.
Climate literacy is essential for young people growing up surrounded by the worsening impacts of climate change. It allows them to make informed decisions, empowers them to take action, alleviates eco-anxiety, and helps them grow into responsible global citizens.
We call for mandatory climate change education in Australian schools.
Why is this important?
Growing up, I did not receive any formal climate change education. As a consequence, I experienced feelings of hopelessness, eco-anxiety, and disconnection from broader society (the lack of formal education made me believe that almost all people were apathetic towards climate change).
This experience prompted self-education on climate change, and this was life changing. I gained the confidence, skills and knowledge to live responsibly in a world suffering from the worsening impacts of climate change, and, importantly, I found hope, alleviated my anxiety, and made connections with like-minded people.
I believe that many young Australians silently suffer from eco-anxiety and hopelessness. It is scary to feel like a young and powerless bystander watching as world you're inheriting burns around you.
I believe that education is critical for addressing climate change. It allows young people to make informed and responsible decisions, empowers them to take action, alleviates eco-anxiety, and prepares them for life as responsible global citizens.
This experience prompted self-education on climate change, and this was life changing. I gained the confidence, skills and knowledge to live responsibly in a world suffering from the worsening impacts of climate change, and, importantly, I found hope, alleviated my anxiety, and made connections with like-minded people.
I believe that many young Australians silently suffer from eco-anxiety and hopelessness. It is scary to feel like a young and powerless bystander watching as world you're inheriting burns around you.
I believe that education is critical for addressing climate change. It allows young people to make informed and responsible decisions, empowers them to take action, alleviates eco-anxiety, and prepares them for life as responsible global citizens.