Traditionally, schools have been teaching lessons such as Math, Science, Economic, reading and essay writing. Even though the subjects are important for the success of the students, there is more to learning than that. Teachers are also supposed to teach students how to be responsible for themselves and the community around them. This is why schools should provide climate education for students. With global warming happening everywhere, there is a need for the next generation to be aware so that they can take care of the earth.
Importance of teaching climate change
There are several reasons why students need to study climate change education. These include:
Students can play a role
Climate change has resulted in adverse weather conditions such as drought and hurricanes. The sea level is dropping, and the glaciers are melting. These effects impact everyone from the young to the old. If these negative changes are reversed or minimized, they will require the collaborative efforts of everyone, including students. To help them know their roles, they should be taught climate education. Students can learn this important question by writing an essay about climate issues such as a climate change argumentative essay or global warming argumentative essay. There are sites that have global warming essays examples that learners can use as samples.
We invest in the future
The future of the natural resources of our ecosystems depends on how we are able to understand, value and protect the species and habitats that help to sustain the world. We should not only be proactive but provide learners with the right tools that can help them observe the effects of changing climate. By teaching children how to invest in our planet’s future, we will be giving them a chance to shape the world that will in future be theirs. This is a subject that makes a good research paper topic.
Connect learners with their communities
When students are asked to write a global warming argumentative essay, they understand the challenges that their communities are facing. They connect them with societies. They can get the idea of how their societies are working towards sustainability and the policies that governments are putting in place. They also learn how they can push for more.
Instead of simply teaching students the importance of global warming, they should be taught how institutions and people can deal with a problem of such magnitude and their role in this bigger picture. As long as learning institutions are supposed to teach global citizenship and community stewardship, they should have a climate change curriculum.
How to teach students about climate change
When we talk about climate change in schools, in most cases, we use scare tactics such as storms, floods, droughts and hurricanes. However, there is a need to use good teaching methods while talking to our children about climate change. A good education should help learners ask questions and provide them with tools for understanding the answers themselves instead of giving them facts for memorization purposes. Here are tips on teaching climate change.
Get enough facts
There is so much information that is spreading around concerning global warming. You might have heard that it doesn’t exist. This is despite the fact that science has overwhelming evidence on its existence and how humans cause it. Make sure you have enough facts that will help you back what you are teaching.
Start small
It may be hard teaching global warming to young children as they may find it complex. Besides, this age group may still not be ready to write essays on this topic. Instead of telling them about greenhouse emissions or melting glacier, tell them about something they can relate with. Use a houseplant while teaching them how plants breath in and the gases we breath out and how it is a cycle that is mutually beneficial. By understanding the basic carbon cycle, it will be easier for students to understand global warming.
Make it positive
Like we already noted, there is a dark cloud that seems to accompany conversations around climate change. Where students are required to write essays, most of the topics revolve around the negative impact of climate change. When they search for sample papers, they find that many of them also talk about the negative aspects of global warming. It is important to also make this conversation positive. For instance, you can show them images of students collecting plastic or give them stories of businesses that have been built around sustainable practices. This will prove to them that there are people who are already making positive changes and encourage them to engage in those small actions.
Lead by example
There is no better way of teaching young children than living as an example of what you are talking about. While children will hear our words, they take cues better. For instance, when they see you carrying your own grocery bag while going for shopping, they clearly take this message. Therefore, teachers need to be proactive in taking steps that are necessary to curb global warming. They can do that by engaging in cleanup exercises.
Encourage students to take action
It is alright to read essay samples to students. But it is until they take real action that they can comprehend the importance. Besides, when children are scared, they should be empowered by having them take action. There are several concrete actions that children can be encouraged to be part of. These include:
- Raising awareness through social media
- Engage in tree planting exercises
- Writing notes to their congress members
With the above tips, not only will it be possible to teach climate change in school, but we will be able to impact future generations in this key area.
Share
Contributors
