Picture via the CDC on Unsplash.com

Schools

From curriculum decisions to the number of hours a day kids spend in their care, schools are uniquely positioned to have an impact on how our children both understand and navigate climate change. From this institutional level, a wealth of opportunities exist to educate students on the facts of global warming and how it is changing our world. 

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) insists that educating our children is crucial to addressing climate change.

 “Education empowers all people, but especially motivates the young to take action. Knowing the facts helps eliminate the fear of an issue which is frequently colored by doom and gloom in the public arena” (UNFCCC). 

It’s within the grasp of state, district, and local levels to guide students to actionable steps to mitigate climate change, to adapt to the changes, to build resiliency strategies, and even to focus on living in harmony with our changing Earth. In addition, school administrators, board members, teachers, and students can serve as models in the community for taking the steps needed to save our shared planet.

Curricula and Related School-level Development

Researchers at Climate.gov, a group of scientists and experts across many climate organizations and academic institutions, acknowledge that climate science can be a complex topic “with rapidly developing science and technology and the potential for

controversy,” so they created a common set of guidelines for climate education. And while there are hurdles to standardizing this information and other sources on a large scale, the research that goes into creating these standards offers opportunities for school leaders to educate themselves, learn how to adjust their curriculum, and conduct experiments on climate change inside the classroom. Check out the resources below from leading research institutions, government organizations, and even other school systems.

Green curricula 

One of the most obvious entry points for teaching children about climate change is through a school’s choice of curriculum. Moving forward, kids will need to know the basics – what climate change is, what causes it, what changes to expect, and how to adapt to those changes. 

Green curricula, sometimes called climate curricula, sustainable learning or climate education by various institutions, are the programs and courses that emphasize and prioritize the concepts of sustainability, environmental responsibility, and eco-consciousness. Covering topics such as climate change, renewable energy, conservation, waste reduction, and biodiversity, green curricula may also integrate principles of environmental justice, social equity, and cultural diversity into lessons. Further, by using experiential learning opportunities such as field trips, community service projects, and sustainability initiatives, lessons may provide students with hands-on experience and demonstrate the importance of sustainable practices in real-world settings. Overall, green curricula aim to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to adapt to climate change while creating a more sustainable and equitable world, both now and in the future.

1. 1. Stanford Climate Change Education  – The Stanford University School of Sustainability offers middle and high school curricula for teaching scientifically accurate climate change education. Developed by climate scientists and education specialists, the curriculum and additional resources are free to use. The foundational ideas of the curriculum are: “Global climate change is unequivocal, almost certainly caused by humans, already causing significant harm, is growing rapidly, and requires global action and local solutions.” See the full middle school curriculum here. 
   2. Project Green Schools – Project Green Schools is on a mission to develop the next generation of environmental leaders. Free membership allows schools to get access to STEM-aligned content, projects, and professional development opportunities. See their one-page flier here.
   3. National Wildlife Federation – The National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools program has impacted nearly 6,000 schools and 10,000 schoolyard habitats through lessons, audits, action plans, and activities. The federation provides a seven-step framework for schools to chart their pathways to sustainability. In addition, there are free standards-aligned activities, curricula, and professional development. See the framework here.
   4. World Wildlife Fund – The World Wildlife Fund offers curriculum resources for schools and teachers to help students explore climate change issues. The offerings include a teacher’s introduction to climate change, a downloadable PowerPoint presentation for the classroom, climate hero certificates for students, and a 50-page foundational climate change curriculum, with example school projects. See the United Nations Climate Conference (COP26) school resource pack at the bottom of this page. 
   5.  SubjectToClimate not only has a substantial repository of curricular resources in all subject areas and grade levels, they have also developed curricula for several US states.
   6. A good article for the topics that could/should be covered to prepare students for climate change can be found within Climate Steps at: A Greenish Curriculum: Desperate Need vs. a Stacked Deck.   From this, the author constructed a list of topics for consideration in K-12 curricula.

Educating school administrators and educators

In addition to incorporating green curricula, school administrators and teachers should stay on top of the latest research and best practices in sustainability and environmental education, as they may face challenges in incorporating climate science standards, such as limited school resources, lack of teacher training, and pushback from climate change denialists. As the climate crisis continues to escalate, school leaders must realize the challenges and act urgently to prioritize their students’ well-being, their community, and the planet. Ultimately, educating administrators on climate change and providing related professional development for educators, such as the National Wildlife Federation EcoSchools USA offerings, is important not just for the environment but for the future of our society.

1. EcoLiteracy – The Center for Ecoliteracy provides teachers with a vast collection of high-quality resources, including articles, videos, and lesson plans covering a range of topics related to sustainability, food systems, and ecological literacy. The organization is committed to equity and racial justice as well.
2. Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) – A valuable resource for science educators and learners, the NGSS website aims to provide free and publicly available information about the comprehensive framework for K-12 science education. It includes a range of free resources such as lesson plans, assessments, and professional development tools. Read why the science standards matter in this document created by the NGSS.
3. The Green School Alliance. (aka the GSA Community). – “a global network of school sustainability champions … passionate about creating a positive impact on the planet by collaborating, sharing resources and ideas, and promoting sustainable practices within educational institutions.”  For teachers, administrators, students, or parents, a resource and support platform to connect with like-minded individuals to assist in integrating sustainability into curricula, culture, and infrastructure. 
4. Green Schools National Network – The Green Schools National Network serves more than 300 schools to promote healthy, equitable, and sustainable schools by using the GreenPrint framework they created to provide resources, coaching, and partnering opportunities for whole-school transformation. See the network’s resource directory here. The network also offers a collection of sustainability and social justice resources.
5. The Green Education Foundation Institute offers the School Sustainability 101 certification in which schools can order the 15-hour self-paced course, “designed to arm students with a strong foundational knowledge of sustainability and the balance between environmental, social, and economic systems,” and download two free e-textbooks, Principles of Sustainability and Water and Sustainability.
6. Green Teacher is a quarterly Canadian magazine serving a global network of teachers dedicated to increasing environmental literacy. Offering subscriptions in English, Spanish, and French, this charity is more than a magazine, this site also shares videos, webinars, articles, and a podcast.

Teachers Putting it into Practice 

Teachers play a vital role in shaping the next generation of environmentally-aware citizens and leaders. As educators, they have the ability to inspire and empower young learners to become environmental stewards and take action to protect the planet. Not only do teachers have these opportunities in the classroom, but they also can serve as role models via their own continuing education in sustainable living and responsible consumption. By demonstrating environmentally-friendly practices in their classrooms and daily routines, teachers can help students develop eco-conscious habits and instill a sense of environmental responsibility. Significantly, they can also encourage students to think critically about the impact of their actions on the environment and to explore solutions to environmental problems, both at home and in their communities. 

Classroom Tools

At the classroom level, as opposed to the whole school curriculum level, teachers can integrate climate change topics and science-based tools into their lessons by helping students understand the science behind climate change, its impacts on the environment and human societies, and the actions that can be taken to mitigate and adapt to it. Some of the in-class tools teachers can implement are listed below.

1. 1. The North American Association for Environmental Education enables teachers to easily sort through its classroom resources by grade level, topic, and category of resource with a handy search tool for educational professionals. As a bonus, eePRO, or Environmental Educational Professionals, offers access to a global online community for educators interested in a sustainable future. 
   2. The National Energy Education Development (NEED) started as a one-day celebration of energy education in 1980 to promote an energy-conscious society through education. Now, the curriculum portfolio consists of more than 100 teacher guides for teaching that can be filtered by grade level and topic.    
   3. The Office for Climate Education is an international cooperative aimed at teaching “future generations about climate change, to equip them with the tools of understanding and action to protect them from preconceptions, ideologies or irrationality, and to prepare them to live in a changing world.”  The teacher section consists of 87 resources for the classroom. 
   4. The Worldwide Climate and Justice Education Week (The first week of April 2024) is a coordinated global educational event that engages thousands of institutions and tens of thousands of people in interdisciplinary learning (and action) on climate and justice. Participating schools, colleges and universities, organizations and communities determine how they will participate. Then they register on a global interactive map. Bard College (NY) provides models for events and curricular resources for teachers of all subjects to MakeClimateAClass by discussing how their subject area relates to climate change, solutions and justice and about career opportunities relating to climate in their field.  [Climate Steps is partnering with them in 2024! to help provide core action information!] 

Classroom Activities, i.e., Experiential Learning 

Hands-on learning activities can be a powerful tool for teaching children about climate change. By engaging students in experiential learning, teachers can help students develop a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding climate change and inspire them to take action to protect the planet.

1. 1. The We Are Teachers website shares 44 sustainability ideas for teachers to implement in their classrooms. From growing a class garden to using eco-friendly craft supplies, the tips listed give teachers a place to start in bringing eco-education to their students. 
   2. Little Green Thumbs is an indoor classroom program that gives teachers the tools to grow food in their classrooms, teaching kids about nature and real-life STEM skills. The organization provides free printable worksheets, activities, experiments, and other resources that connect gardening to school subjects like math, science, art, and language arts.  
   3. The non-profit Edible Schoolyard Project wants to transform public education by using gardens, kitchens, and cafeterias to provide hands-on experiences about food and nature. Browse their resource catalog to get inspiration on everything from soil investigation to cooking with your harvest.  
   4. The goal of Clever Carbon is to increase carbon footprint literacy. The Carbon Footprint Lesson Plan for Teachers is a free 50-minute interactive slide presentation and lesson plan aimed at students in grade six and above.
   5. Teachers can bring experiential learning to the classroom with sustainable design challenges like those offered by The Paperboard Packaging Alliance and the Biomimicry Youth Challenge, in which students compete to design sustainability solutions for real-world problems. 
   6. More activities to come: Renewable energy experiments, Waste reduction projects, and climate change simulations. 

Skilling up/PD

Photo by Rodnae Productions, via Pexels.com

Given the complexity of this topic and its multidisciplinary nature, it is essential for teachers to skill up or take professional development opportunities related to climate change education. By doing so, teachers can deepen their understanding of the issue, learn about the latest scientific research and policy developments, and develop effective teaching strategies and materials that can engage and empower students.

Professional development opportunities can take many forms, including workshops, webinars, online courses, and conferences. These opportunities can provide teachers with a range of benefits, including access to experts in the field, networking with other educators, exposure to innovative teaching methods and resources, staying up-to-date on the latest developments in the field, and ensuring that their teaching is based on the most accurate and current information available. In turn, this can help to create a more informed and engaged citizenry that is better equipped to address the complex challenges posed by climate change.

1. 1. The training section of Project Learning Tree (PLT) connects educators with active learning workshops both in-person and online so they can incorporate environmental education and sustainability in their classrooms. PLT began in the 1970s as a collaboration between the American Forest Institute and Western Regional Environmental Education Council.  Find the local coordinators and the $25-50 training sessions in the United States, five international sites, or online.  
   2. The Climate Change Education Exchange is a massive resource library divided into 26 categories providing direct links to training, games, media, and curricular resources for educators (many of which are included here too). The teacher training category contains links and descriptions of 19 websites with programs designed specifically for educators.  
   3. GreenHeart Education is a comprehensive directory of climate change topics, blogs, and tools designed by two Canadian climate activists, an educator, and a medical doctor. Their website is specifically aimed at providing a variety of environmental resources for teachers. 
   4. Project Drawdown’s Climate Solutions 101 With a mission to help the world stop climate change, this website provides free access to a series of six science-based webinars on the most urgent topics within climate action.  

Kids at a primary school – excited to learn about sustainability.

School Systems 

School administrators can take a variety of actions to promote eco-education beyond the curriculum. One key strategy is to ensure that the school’s infrastructure and operations align with sustainable practices. This can involve implementing green building practices, such as using energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems, as well as promoting waste reduction, recycling, and composting in school facilities. Additionally, school leaders can promote sustainable transportation practices, such as biking or walking to school, or encourage the use of electric or hybrid vehicles for school transportation. By promoting sustainable practices in school operations, administrators can model eco-conscious behavior and provide a tangible example of the importance of sustainability to the school community, as well as rewards via long-term financial savings. 

“An energy ­efficient school district with 4,000 students could save as much as $160,000 a year in energy costs. Over 10 years, those savings can reach $1.6 million, translating into the ability to hire more teachers, purchase more textbooks and computers, or invest in additional high­ performance facilities” (United States Department of Energy, [2007]). 

There are numerous options to implement green practices in school systems, buildings, and transportation. 

Washington DC building housing a charter school under a green (plant-based) roof. Photo courtesy of Annette Olson. CC BY 4.0.

Buildings and Schoolyards

Schools are large consumers of energy and resources, and by implementing sustainable practices such as reducing waste and conserving energy, school admins can reduce a school system’s overall environmental impact and increase children’s health and well-being while saving money. 

“The nation’s schools annually emit as much carbon as 18 coal plants or 8 million homes, according to an analysis of U.S. Department of Energy data by the advocacy group Generation180” (Lieberman, 2022).  

Several organizations offer research-based guidance for administrators, including topics such as food waste, solar energy, and green technology.  

1. 1. Green Schoolyards – Green Schoolyards wants to change the way school properties are designed. They’d like to see the transformation from asphalt grounds to green spaces. With a focus on children, community, and the environment, the group is promoting the Living Schoolyards Act (S-4993), which will provide grants for schools to build outdoor learning environments. The organization also is providing a free five-part lecture series to learn more about the bill. To connect with their outdoor learning library, full of free tools for schools, click here.
   2. Generation 180 is a non-profit that provides the tools for schools interested in transitioning to clean energy. The organization’s  Brighter Future report shares the progress, success stories, and opportunities in U.S. K-12 schools.  
   3. Center for Green Schools – The Center for Green Schools is part of the U.S. Green Building Council and works with research institutions and subject matter experts to share the research with school system staff and advocate for green school efforts. See the Center’s free resource library here and the advocacy tools that schools need at Green Strides, a partner website. 
   4. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – As part of the organization’s set of Healthy School Environment Guidelines, the EPA has a stellar resource for administrators that assists in reducing waste at the school level. The 44-page document covers the why and how of reducing food, paper, and energy waste. The guide includes a 10-step program for schools to become waste-free. 
   5. USDA –  Several strategies and resources are provided to schools on this USDA website about reducing food waste at K-12 schools. From tips like extending the lunch period by 10 minutes to how to conduct a waste audit, this page offers solutions for schools to integrate into the greening of their schools. 
   6. More to come: Climate Steps will continue to develop the resources related to school buildings and schoolyards to include topics such as technology and computers, smart thermostats, and motion-sensor lighting.

Electric School Buses and Other Vehicles

In their efforts to combat climate change, it’s imperative for those connected to schools to consider switching to electric school buses. First, transportation is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. In the United States, the transportation sector is responsible for nearly one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions (United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)). School buses are a significant contributor to that figure. 

“In a typical school year, more than 20 million students ride the bus to school each day, taking more than seven billion combined trips. But right now, most of those buses are running on polluting diesel fuel, and kids from underserved communities are bearing a disproportionate burden of the related emissions” (Electric School Bus Initiative, 2022)

Switching to electric buses can significantly reduce these emissions, as electric vehicles produce zero emissions at the tailpipe and emit fewer greenhouse gasses over their lifespan compared to conventional buses (Freethink, 2021).

By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving money, and providing a range of co-benefits, electric buses can help schools lead the way toward a more sustainable future.

1. 1. Electric school buses can provide cost savings for schools. While the upfront cost of electric buses is higher than conventional buses, the operating costs of electric buses are much lower, as they require less maintenance and fuel. Investing in electric buses saves money over time while also reducing their carbon footprint. According to the EPA (2023), the Clean School Bus Program will provide $5 billion to replace school buses with lower-emission vehicles. 
   2. Switching to electric school buses provides benefits beyond climate change mitigation, such as eliminating exhaust for cleaner air, advancing battery technology, and improving human health. Standard school buses have “proven links to serious physical health and cognitive development issues for students” (World Resources Institute).  
   3. Electric School Buses are quieter. They reduce exposure to harmful pollutants and produce less noise pollution compared to conventional buses, which can improve the overall quality of life for students and the surrounding community. (Real Clear Energy, 2023) 
   4. From the U.S. Department of Energy, the Alternative Fuel Data Center provides extensive information for schools about the benefits of using electric school buses and some use cases for schools that are making it work. Find a series of webinars on topics such as electric bus basics, working with utility partners, vehicle performance and more. 
   5. Other types of transportation – such as school maintenance trucks, etc.

Community Collaboration Examples

Another strategy for promoting eco-education is to engage in community partnerships and outreach. School administrators can partner with local organizations, such as environmental groups or parks departments, to provide students with opportunities for outdoor education and environmental stewardship. School leaders can also involve families and community members in sustainability initiatives, such as hosting community clean-up events or establishing community vegetable, habitat, and rain gardens, and can also listen to parents who have such suggestions. By working together in eco-education efforts, schools and communities can build a sense of collective responsibility for environmental stewardship and create a culture of sustainability that extends beyond the walls of the school.

1. 1. https://www.thisisplaneted.org/about
   2. https://www.dfcworld.org/SITE
   3. https://climategen.org/
   4. https://www.apha.org/Topics-and-Issues/Climate-Change/Education 

References

1. Electric School Bus Initiative. (2022, Oct. 17). Why We Need to Transition to Electric School Buses. https://electricschoolbusinitiative.org/why-we-need-transition-electric-school-buses 
2. EPA.gov (2023, May 11) Clean School Bus Program https://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus
3. Freethink (2021, Oct. 11). Electric school buses: good for the planet, better for kids. https://www.freethink.com/energy/school-bus-electrification
4. Lieberman, Mark. (2022, May 18). What Schools Can Do to Tackle Climate Change (Hint: More Than You Think). Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/what-schools-can-do-to-tackle-climate-change-hint-more-than-you-think/2022/05#:~:text=The%20nation’s%20schools%20annually%20emit,the%20World%20Wildlife%20Fund%20reports%20. 
5. NOAA Climate.gov. (2023, May 11). The essential principles of climate literacy. Retrieved March 7, 2023, from https://www.climate.gov/teaching/climate#:~:text=Climate%20information%20can%20be%20used,and%20decision%2Dmakers%20is%20crucial. 
6. The Office for Climate Education. An international initiative for climate change education. https://www.oce.global/en/about-us
7. Real Clear Energy. (2023, March 16). Electric School Buses Do More Than You Think. https://www.realclearenergy.org/articles/2023/03/16/electric_school_buses_do_more_than_you_think_887559.html#:~:text=Electric%20buses%20also%20reduce%20noise,ready%20and%20eager%20to%20learn
8. United Nations. (n.d.). Education is key to addressing climate change. United Nations. Retrieved March 7, 2023, from https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/climate-solutions/education-key-addressing-climate-change#:~:text=In%20the%20classroom%2C%20young%20people,gloom%20in%20the%20public%20arena. 
9. United State Environmental Protection Agency (n.d.). Fast Facts on Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/fast-facts-transportation-greenhouse-gas-emissions
10. United States Department of Energy. (2007). Guide to Financing Energy Smart Schools. (p.1). https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/guide-financing-energysmart-schools
11. World Resources Institute (n.d.). Electric School Bus Initiative: Collaborating to equitably electrify the U.S. school bus fleet. https://www.wri.org/initiatives/electric-school-bus-initiative
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Contributors:  Rebecca Hirn, Mark Stewart, Annette Olson