How Does Our Climate Education Bill fit into a Just Transition?

Izzy King
January 16, 2022
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How does our Climate Education Bill fit into a Just Transition?

Communities across the world desperately need Climate Justice, least not those in the Global South. Although it’s not a total solution by any means, Climate Education is a huge step towards reaching Climate Justice.

What is Climate Justice?

Climate Justice refers to how fair or unfair methods of tackling the Climate Emergency are to all people, not just a privileged few. In order to achieve Climate Justice, we need solutions to the climate crisis that not only reduce emissions and protect the natural world but also create a fairer world with equitable opportunities for everyone.

Many people face climate injustice, though it primarily affects those living in the Global South, Indigenous people, people of colour, and disabled people. Historic colonialism, slavery, wealth inequality, and forced subordination are the leading causes of climate injustice, along with the Climate Crisis.

Climate Education → Climate Justice

When children get Climate Education…

When legitimate Climate Education is embedded into the curriculum, students will learn how historic injustices committed continue to have not just secondary effects on communities today, but serious direct impacts on their homes and livelihoods. Education of this kind leads people to question why people are still being disadvantaged, and take action to stop the exploitation. Initially, students will increase pressure on the UK government, forcing serious plans for a just transition to sustainability. As they grow to become politicians, engineers, journalists and more, they will then embed Climate Justice policies into their lives and workplaces.

When adults get Climate Re-training…

Adults who enrol on retraining courses integrated with Climate Education will also discover the historic oppression of millions of people, and how it has led to both climate change and further oppression for the same people. Though retraining courses may not deliver as broad an education as the school system, this information will allow, empower and encourage adults to bring Climate Justice into their new roles much faster than today’s children. Additionally, these adults will also increase pressure on the UK government and international organisations.

When those facing injustice receive Climate Education...

Potentially the most immediate impact of Climate Education on Climate Justice will be educating those currently experiencing climate injustice. Unfortunately, not everyone experiencing climate injustice is aware that they are for a plethora of reasons. Upon recognising how and why they are at risk, victims can also learn how to protect themselves. This may be through political activism to push for governmental Climate Justice action, personal actions to reduce the health risks of air pollution or water-borne diseases or any number of other ways.

Let us be clear: the implementation of Climate Justice is not up to those being oppressed, it is up to the oppressors to change their behaviour. However, oppressors cannot achieve Climate Justice without listening to the opinions and needs of those affected by it. This is why we believe UK students require Climate Education with a strong emphasis on Climate Justice.

Our aim for the Bill is to bring students proper Climate Education, including an accurate understanding of Climate Justice and how to complete a just transition.