Person In Charge Of Education In England Wants Climate Change Learning Increased
“I want to deliver a better, safer, greener world for future generations of young people and education is one of our key weapons in the fight against climate change”.
Nadhim Zahawi, Education Secretary for England, has declared that he wants to put climate change “at the heart of education”.
He has proposed (said that we should do) a clear climate change strategy (plan) after speaking to teachers for the next few months, as he suggests plans will be published in April 2022.
Zahawi aims for the strategy is to offer a number of materials and resources to teachers which will allow them to teach children the importance and need for protecting our planet and nature around them.
One of the main proposals of his Climate Strategy is to develop a National Education Park. This aims to increase teachings of biodiversity – the variety of plant and animal life – and brings together nurseries, schools, colleges and universities in learning about the nature and planet around us.
The Education Secretary also has announced a new award called the “Climate Leaders Award”. He describes this as “bringing together the best of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards”. It will be developed in a Bronze, Silver and Gold style which is similar to the DoFE award.
Nadhim Zahawi said “The Climate Leaders Award will help children and young people develop their skills and knowledge in biodiversity and sustainability, and celebrate and recognise their work in protecting the local environment. For example, young people may choose to undertake a project that delivers change in their local community, such as increasing the biodiversity of a neighbourhood piece of land or helping to deliver experiences for younger children to explore nature and local woodland.”
The Education Secretary will also confirm plans to test new ‘Energy Pods’ which are set to replace gas and coal boilers to supply heating for schools without releasing any carbon emissions (the release of carbon into the atmosphere). This will initially be tested in schools and colleges and could be extended to further buildings if successful.
Sources
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/education-secretary-puts-climate-change-at-the-heart-of-education–2
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59172936
https://twitter.com/nadhimzahawi?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
