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.

Who is Preventing Kids from Learning about Climate Change?

Kids are not getting the climate education they need but this is not because of their parents or their teachers. Climate education has become a front-line issue in the battle against truth and kids are being used as pawns in an economically motivated war against reality. As reported by NPR, polls show that climate education has the support of parents (80%) and teachers (85%). Yet children are not getting the facts about climate change in public schools. A growing number of American adults (75%) acknowledge that the climate is changing but this message not being disseminated to kids.

Graduate Certificate - CSR/Sustainability at St Michael's College (Video)

The Graduate Certificate in CSR/Sustainability at the University of St. Michael's (University of Toronto) is a program that accommodates people who are working full time.

There are already 200 graduates of this program from around the world. They work for a wide range of organizations including for-profit, not-for-profit and government organizations.  The personal and professional benefits of education are numerous. A strong business case that can be made for higher learning. Click here for a business case presentation (PDF) or here for a program impact assessment as described by program graduates.

Course Certificate - Leading Organizations & Change at MIT Sloan School of Management

MIT Sloan School of Management is collaborating with world renowned faculty to offer instruction in the prescient realm of organizational change. In today's complex interconnected world an organization's strategies and tactics must be encouraged to evolve. Course alterations are essential in response to changing business environments. In the face a barrage of unprecedented challenges, an organizations ability to pivot on a dime has become critical.

Comprehensive Green School Information and Resources 2010 - 2016

In 2017 the Green Market Oracle (GMO) is reprising its annual Green School Series. Over the course of the last seven years the GMO has published more than 350 articles related to environmentally oriented academics, sustainable infrastructure and green initiatives in pedagogical settings. In the coming weeks we will post articles on a daily basis related to the green schools and sustainability focused academics. These efforts contribute to the growth of a well informed population, a sustainable economy and ultimately a healthier planet. This focus is a key part of the GMO's mission to help facilitate the convergence of sustainability and the global environment.

GMO's Annual Green Schools Posts in 2016

Each summer and fall the Green Market Oracle (GMO) publishes a series of posts focused on the growing green schools movement. In 2016 this comprised both buildings and academics, it also includes best practices and information useful to sustainability professionals, students, instructors and other stakeholders. In addition to green buildings, this series reviews hundreds of sustainability-focused schools and accreditation. Last year GMO published 32 articles in this series bringing the total to more than 350.  In 2016 the predominant themes included early education, tools, resources and awards.

Sustainability Education: Teaching for sustainability (Videos)

Educating future leaders about sustainability is key to solving the increasingly interconnected challenges facing humanity. The practice of teaching for sustainability is known as sustainability education (SE), it is also called education for sustainability (EfS), and the United Nations calls it education for sustainable development (ESD). More generally we need to appreciate the importance of education as it relates to sustainable development. Education is one of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and it is a fundamental right. Investing in a quality education for all is essential to realize the other SDGs and targets. It is also the most powerful tool we have for sustainable development.

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.

GMO's Top Green School Stories of 2013

This year represents the fourth 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. Taken together these efforts contribute to the growth of a well informed population, an environmentally sound economy and a healthier planet.

Webinar - Health and Equity in Action: A Case Study On How Atlanta-Based Colleges & Universities Are Benefiting Their Communities

The webinar, "Health and Equity in Action: A Case Study On How Atlanta-Based Colleges & Universities Are Benefiting Their Communities," will take place on December 18th, 2pm EST. Join AASHE, the Center for Green Schools at USGBC and Second Nature for a webcast on health and equity. Panelists from Emory University and Spelman College will discuss the integrated process and climate adaptation to consider the campus’ role in addressing human health issues locally.

Using the city of Atlanta as a case study, the panel will look at how local colleges are meeting the needs of current students and community members as well as future generations through wellness programs, transportation initiatives, agricultural relationships and regional collaboratives, among other efforts. Different campus cultures will explored related to how their institutional story is unfolding to meet their sustainability goals on campus and within the city.

Event - Campus Sustainability Day (CSD)

Campus Sustainability Day (CSD) is a nation wide event that will take place on October 23, 2013. Since 2003, CSD has been a time to reflect on the success of the sustainability movement in higher education. The theme for Campus Sustainability Day 2013 is “Climate Adaptation: Resilient Campuses & Communities.” The supporting organizations of CSD invite you to join this year’s keynote broadcast, organize and share events on your campus, and engage in the conversation.

NWF's Campus Ecology Fellowships

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is an environmental leader and since 2000 they have awarded over 170 Campus Ecology Fellowships to US undergraduate and graduate students engaging global warming related issues.

Students are awarded Fellowships for projects ranging from campus-wide energy audits to implementing sustainable forestry practices. In addition to recognition, Fellows receive a modest monetary grant, project support and leadership development.

In 2013, NWF is offering an Emerging Leaders Fellowship track that awards Fellowships to post-graduate, young professionals (ages 21-35) interested in career development and leadership opportunities within the conservation movement. These Fellows are provided with leadership opportunities, skills training and seed funding for their entrepreneurial efforts.

Event - NAAEE Conference 2013

The NAAEE Conference 2013 will take place on October 9 - 12, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Since 1972, the NAAEE conference has convened top educators, government officials, researchers, nonprofit and community groups, environmental experts, corporations, and others.

With the shared mission of advancing environmental education throughout society—from schoolrooms to board rooms and community centers to zoos and museums—attendees discuss how environmental education can achieve environmental goals, as well as be a conduit to STEM education, a springboard for civic engagement, and a tool for current and future generations to make sense of the world around them.

WorldWatch Institute: Refocusing Environmental Education

A recent press release from the Worldwatch Institute examines the need to improve environmental education so that students are better prepared for the turbulent times ahead.

Over the past decade, more college students than ever have completed environmentally oriented courses or graduated with degrees in environmental studies and science (ESS). While many hail this environmental renaissance in U.S. higher education as an important step toward sustainability, others see it as a missed opportunity.

2014 Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN)

Now in its fourth year, Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN) is the largest electricity and water reduction competition program for colleges and universities in the world. CCN is a partnership of Lucid Design Group, U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools, National Wildlife Federation and the Alliance to Save Energy.

CCN gives a common voice and motivation to hundreds of thousands of students across North America, all working together to reduce consumption and mitigate the impacts of climate change. CCN encourages students to involve their peers and staff in educational events that can have an immediate and lasting impact on their school’s carbon emissions and campus culture.

The Nature Generation's Green Education Programs

The Nature Generation (Nat Gen) is an environmental nonprofit that is inspiring the next generation to become responsible stewards of the earth. This K-12 environmental organization helps to prepare children for the important environmental challenges they will face in the future, by connecting them with nature today. 

Nat Gen runs successful K-12 school programs in Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. Their national programs include "Read Green", which promotes books for children and young adults on environmental stewardship. Its signature "Green Book Awards" program is the nation's first environmental stewardship book award for children and young adult books. Since 2005 over 80 authors have been honored in this prestigious program.

Event - 2013 AASHE Conference & Expo: Resiliency and Adaptation

2013 AASHE Conference & Expo: Resiliency and Adaptation will take place on October 6 - 9, 2013 in Nashville, TN. AASHE conferences are the largest stage in North America for higher education sustainability thought leadership.

Course - Certified Environmental Specialist

This two day workshop (or 16 hour online course) provides successful students with certification as an Environmental Specialist. Participating students will gain knowledge of environmental compliance issues and public safety concerns, participants will also get an intensive overview of EPA regulations. The course is intended and designed for environmental professionals that are working on projects that can pose a potential danger to the public or environment.

This course covers the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule, Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or "Superfund") and environmental compliance planning and expectations.