5 Reasons Why Teachers are Not Teaching Kids about Climate Change

More than half of American teachers are not talking about climate change in their classrooms and of those that do almost a third incorrectly tell their students that climate change is a natural phenomenon.

According to a recent poll climate change is a very low priority for teachers in the U.S. Almost two thirds of educators who are not teaching it say they see global warming as outside of their subject area. However, science-based training is only part of the problem, parental attitudes are also a concern. Almost a third of educators are worried that parents may complain if they teach their kids about climate change.

GMO's Top Green School Stories of 2014

This year represents the fifth annual installment of the Green Market Oracle's (GMO) annual sustainable school series.

Each year GMO puts together a summary of some of the latest information and resources on environmentally oriented academics and activities as well as green infrastructure in pedagogical settings.

Here are the Green Market Oracle's top posts in green education, activities and infrastructure for 2014:

Learning in Nature Benefits Children and Teachers

Nature and green spaces are conducive to both health and learning. Green spaces have been shown to contribute to health and well being and this appears to be especially true for children. Research shows that both teachers and students benefit from exposure to green spaces.

Kids who are exposed to the outdoors not only learn better they are also more physically active which contributes to their overall well being. Even children suffering from learning disabilities like ADHD appear to benefit from exposure to green spaces.

Climate Science Bill of Rights and a Fact Based Education

In the US a battle is brewing between those who want to teach children the science behind climate change and those who want to teach kids politically motivated revisionism that caters to the agenda of the fossil fuel industry.

The National Research Council is collaboratively working with federal agencies, the National Governors Association, teachers and education experts to develop a new set of science education standards. This science based approach will apply to contentious topics like evolution and climate change.

The UK is Depriving Children of a Climate Change Education

In the UK the government wants to remove climate change from geography lessons for students under 14 years of age. This move is highly controversial as climate change is a serious threat to societal well being in Britain. Environmental problems are only going to intensify going forward. The next generation is going to inherit a world that will demand educated people capable of understanding and addressing these threats.

Ignorance is the single greatest impediment to environmental action. Education plays a fundamental role in dispelling ignorance and improving the ways we interact with the environment.

Those under 14 are the leaders of tomorrow, depriving them of a solid education regarding the science of climate change is a handicap that the nation simply can't afford.  It is the older generation who created the problems we face and they are not only failing to act on climate change themselves, but they are seeking to deprive young people of the education they need to have a fighting chance of improving our world.

The Green Market Oracle's Third Annual School Sustainability Series for 2012

Each year The Green Market puts together a summary of the latest information and resources on sustainability in education. This series reflects the importance of the green schools movement to contribute to the growth of the global economy and the health of the planet.

Last year over 70 posts came together to create the Green Schools Series 2011. In 2010 there were more than 60 posts that comprised the series for that year.

This year there are a total of more than 65 posts for the third annual installment of the series. In addition to posts on programs and campuses, there are two new sections on "Teacher Resources" and "Business Schools."

The New Era of Green Schools

In February 2012 at the Green Schools National Conference in Denver, Colo., U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan expressed the view that green schools are no longer part of a fringe movement. EE is, in fact, necessary to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

Duncan, whose administration launched the Green Ribbon Schools Program, called for inclusion of EE in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The U.S. Senate voted in favor of the change in 2011, thus marking the first time EE has been formally included in federal K-12 education policy. The Campaign for Environmental Literacy lists approximately one dozen states with requirements for EE in their K-12 curriculums. And, according to the North American Association for Environmental Education, some 47 states and the District of Columbia are in the process of developing new or revised Environmental Literacy Plans.

The Need for Global Environmental Education

In a paper prepared for the 2012 Rio +20 Earth Summit, leading scientists issued a warning that humans are facing “an unprecedented [planetary] emergency” driven by overpopulation, over-consumption and use of environmentally damaging technologies. Climate change, biodiversity loss, resource depletion, environmental degradation, economic instability and a host of environmentally related illnesses will threaten civilization’s very survival if people do not act. Unfortunately, say the authors, “humanity’s behavior remains utterly inappropriate” for dealing with the problems people face, and their continued “failure to act will impoverish current and future generations.”

The School of Earth and Environment (SEE)

The UK's School of Earth and Environment (SEE) was ranked second nationally in terms of research power in earth and environmental sciences in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. The school is at the forefront of tackling global issues such as climate change, energy, water and sustainable development. Its research is organized across four institutes and two national research centers.

The School of Earth and Environment is one of the largest and most vibrant Schools in the UK. Experts within the School study the Earth from its core to the atmosphere, with expertise ranging from geophysics and surface processes to atmospheric science, climate change and environmental sustainability. Leeds is in fact, one of just a few universities that has brought the complete range of disciplines from geology and geophysics, environmental science, meteorology and climate science, to environmental social science together under one banner.

The New School's Sustainability Initiatives (Video)

The New School is committed to becoming a more sustainable university - The New School is a university in New York City offering distinguished degree, certificate, and continuing education programs in art and design, liberal arts, management and policy, and the performing arts. (for more information click here) In order to reduce the institution's environmental footprint and carbon emissions, the university has established the following goals:

Top Ten Green Masters Degree Programs

There are a growing number of green masters programs in the US. With a global economy continuing to show signs of weakness people are flocking to educational programs that are associated with the growing green market. Forbes reports that there is already a $6 trillion clean energy business opportunity. While others suggest that there will be a $13 trillion dollar market for clean energy over the next two decades.

Teacher Resource: GoGreen the Database

Explore the ever-expanding trove of environmentally conscious teaching tools. Search for lesson plans, Web sites, and educational resources by topic, grade level, cost, or location, or add your resource. This fully searchable database enables users to explore information that is organized in a variety of ways and is an invaluable resource for teachers.

They also have some great coverage of working green schools and classroom guides.

Sustainable Development is a High Priority for the UN

Earlier this year the UN High-Level Panel Global Sustainability released its report in Addis Ababa. The 99-page report is titled “Resilient People, Resilient Planet: A Future Worth Choosing.” This document was created for the Rio+20 Summit, it offers cogent analysis and ways of moving sustainable development forward. The long-term vision of the Panel is to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality and make growth inclusive, and production and consumption more sustainable, while combating climate change and respecting a range of other planetary boundaries. The report makes a range of recommendations to realize the Panel’s vision for a sustainable planet, a just society and a growing economy.

The Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit

The Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit is based on the idea that communities and educational systems within communities need to dovetail their sustainability efforts. As communities develop sustainability goals, local educational systems and programs can modify existing curricula or create new programs to reinforce those goals.

The ESD Toolkit has proven to be effective for many audiences including national and provincial ministries, non-profit organizations, universities and colleges, teacher educators, school administrators, teachers, municipalities, and government officials. Although the ESD Toolkit w a s written for a North American audience, it has proven useful in countries and communities around the world.

Antioch University's Masters Degree in Urban Sustainability

In response to the challenges of global environmental, social, and economic inequality, Antioch University Los Angeles has created a revolutionary new M.A. program to train the next generation of urban problem-solvers. The Urban Sustainability program prepares students for leadership positions in public policy, corporate accountability, social justice organizing, and ecological practice.

Commonground University's Fall Semester: Environmentally Themed Courses

Here are a couple of courses from commonground's last 2011 session beginning on November 7th.

ASTM E1527 Online Course
Learn why the ASTM Environmental Site Assessment Standard Practices for the Phase I Site Assessment was developed, how to use the standard, and how the standard affects the way you do business. 3 week, 15-20 hour course. For more information click here.

The Princeton Review's 2012 Top Green Schools Honor Role

The Princeton Review has released its fourth annual Green Honor Role of colleges and Universities in the U.S. These schools were ranked on a scale of 60 to 99, based on a survey that asked questions about academic offerings, energy use, recycling, food, buildings and transportation.

Sierra's 2011 List of Cool Green Schools Points West

For many years early settlers of America went west seeking opportunities and Sierra's 2011 list of green schools once again points west. According to Sierra magazine’s fifth-annual ranking of the nation’s “Coolest” schools, some of the most eco-conscious colleges are out West.

Green School in India: Shoolini University

Shoolini University is India's first Bio-tech university, and it also boasts a green campus full of socially responsible students. Shoolini is a leader in the field of energy conservation and recycling, it is also at the forefront of developing other environmentally oriented programs and policies.

Situated in the Simla Hills, Shoolini University has a modern 20 acre campus surrounded by pine trees. The university has a terraced herbal garden and their herbarium has more than 500 varieties of herbs. There is also a vermi composting facility along with a set up for water harvesting.

Shoolini University teaches by example and as such the school is passionate about reducing its ecological footprint. Special solar water heaters, powering down computers, and energy-saving light bulbs are standard. Working with the campus maintenance teams, the grounds staff takes note when energy is being wasted and is quick to find solutions.

Shoolini University's green initiatives are a good example of leadership and creativity. The students constantly work with various departments to implement energy saving program.

Shoolini University is leading the way in India with a green campus and sustainable initiatives.
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UBC`s PhD in Resource Management and Environmental Studies
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The Green School In Bali

John Hardy and his wife Cynthia have lived in Bali for 30 years and in 2008 they established the Green School. The Green School provides a holistic international curriculum for students from preschool and kindergarten through year eight.

The Green School is also about to add International Baccalaureate (IB) accreditation to its degree programs. The IB Diploma is a two year Program designed to prepare students, normally aged 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond.

The Green School strives to develop lifelong moral and intellectual growth. The Green School educates their students for the 21st century, including weaving environmental concerns into their philosophy and daily lives. They foster innovative and entrepreneurial learning, connected to environmental responsibility, and a deep respect for science, self and cultural diversity. The school’s original faculty and student body came from 16 countries around the world.

The school itself is a sustainable structure made of bamboo, mud, and local grass. The Green School has its own farm, a bicycling program, solar power, and an organic chocolate factory. It is located on the eight-hectare Kul-Kul Campus on the Ayung River in Sibang Kaja, Bali.

The Green School is developing green curriculums as well as green enterprises which are providing students with more exposure to the economy of environmental stewardship.
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Related Posts
Green School Census
China’s Green School Project
The University of Hong Kong's Sustainable Development
China Europe International Business School's Green Campus Initiative
The Development of Sustainable Education at South China Normal University
China Turns to International Community to Learn about Green Buildings
Green Buildings Combat Climate Change
Green School in India: Shoolini University
Green School Rejuvenates Dying Town
Da Vinci Arts Middle School in Portland
Ferrum College's Climate Research Opportunities
Leading the Green Job Market with a Sustainable MBA
The University of Oregon's MBA and Green Chemistry
Marylhurst's MBA in Sustainable Business
MODUL University's Sustainable MSc
West Michigan's Green Academic Offerings
Arizona State University's Sustainable Business Curriculum
Arizona State University and Green Supply Chains
Penn State's Online B.A. in Energy and Sustainability Policy
CleanEdison Building and Design Courses
Commonground University's Online Environmental Classes
Walden University's PhD in Sustainability Online Degree
UBC`s PhD in Resource Management and Environmental Studies
Prescott College`s Ph.D in Sustainability
PhD in Innovation and Governance for Sustainable Development
Columbia University's PhD in Sustainable Development
NYC Public School's Green Initiatives
America`s Greenest School Contest 2010
LAUSD Green School Initiatives
California's Green Schools (Videos)
Hult International Business School Publication "Greenovate!"
Sierra's Top 100 Cool Schools
The Princeton Review Green Colleges Honor Role 2010