The role of geography in climate education

The role of Geography in climate education: science with active citizenship a presentation at the IGU2024 congress in Dublin, August 2024

“Climate change concerns all of us, and everyone can take action for the climate” (European Commission, 2020). Our planet is experiencing significant and accelerated change caused by greenhouse gases emitted by human activities. We are gathering significant scientific data looking to understand and then seek solutions to the issue. The effects of climate are being felt on all continents and are predicted to become more and more intense, with severe consequences for our economies and societies.
To stop climate change from getting worse, the European Commission confirmed we must take urgent climate action so that we can adapt to the changes happening now, and in the future, to limit the damage. The European Commission has established an “Education for Climate” initiative which promotes education for and about climate change as a flagship initiative of the European Education Area. Developing relevant, high-quality teaching in schools will be fundamental for the future.
EUROGEO responded by sharing its experience and expertise in developing and promoting a series of innovative educational projects to help empower teachers and educators to establish active citizenship approaches, embracing scientific studies through geographical education.
This presentation establishes the framework of the EC “Education for Climate” initiative and share the tools and resources generated, including data dashboards and training materials (Teach the Future project), an e-Book and application (MyEcoTrack), a teacher MOOC using GIS in teaching about climate (GIS-T) a teaching resource gallery (GeoDem), training resources of GEA (Growing into Eco-conscious adults) and an initial teacher education climate curriculum (TECCHED).

1. The role of geography in climate education Science and Active Citizenship Karl Donert European Association of Geographers (EUROGEO) Presentation: https://rb.gy/baei5f

2. https://education-for- climate.ec.europa.eu /community/

3. Education for Climate

4. Education for Climate https://education-for- climate.ec.europa.eu /community/

5. https:// geography.org.uk / Causes Consequences How to adapt and reduce impact (Geographical Association)

6. https:// geography.org.uk / The underlying physical processes in order to understand why climate change is happening.  How and why climate in changing across the world.  Strategies for mitigation and adaptation (Geographical Association)

7. https:// geography.org.uk / Look for local examples that will make it clear to students that this affects them ‘we have a duty to prepare them for a climate-changed world very different from today’ (Hicks, 2019) … keep students mindful of personal targets to address their carbon footprint (Geographical Association)

8. Active engagement https:// blog.scistarter.org /2018/10/connecting-public-engagement-in-science-efforts-across-silos/ https:// extension.umn.edu /leadership-approach-and-models/civic-engagement-glance

9. Active engagement Commonplace https:// www.commonplace.is /blog/ arnsteins -ladder-of-citizens-participation-explained Arnstein , S.R., 1969. A ladder of citizen participation.  Journal of the American Institute of planners ,  35 (4), pp.216-224.

10. https:// www.eurogeography.eu /

11. Karl Donert, European Association of Geographers (EUROGEO) https:// teachingthefuture.eu /

12. x https:// myecotrack.eu /

13. https:// tecched.eu /

14. https :// geaeducation.eu /

15. https:// gis-t.eu /

16. https:// steame-academy.eu // Competence Framework Learning Modules/Workshops Sharing Observatory for STEAME  Community of Practice/Mentoring Programme Policy Recommendations – European Federation 

17. The role of Geography Geography helps : understand the world around us connect human-environment relationships r ecognise challenges we face respond to issues …. such as global warming how to use that information to manage natural resource sustainability and to protect the planet as a whole convert the science into understanding and action

18. What Role For Geography?

19. S-Cool-Links https://s-cool- links.org / Interactive platform for teachers interested in climate change education

20. Presentation: https://rb.gy/baei5f Karl Donert [email protected] @ karldonert