As students across the UK head back to school, now’s the time to consider what they’re learning about the world they’ll inherit. After all, if today’s children are going to one day tackle the challenges of climate change, we must ensure that environmental education is a key part of their curriculum.
And yet, back in 2021, there was still no mention of climate change in the national curriculum for primary schools in England. And although it is factored into science and geography lessons for Key Stage 3 students, the curriculum still fails to explore the broader impacts of climate change on our environment and society.
To truly prepare our children for the future, we need a green curriculum that starts in early years and extends through all key stages. Ideally, sustainability and environmental studies shouldn’t be confined to science and geography classes. Instead, it should be a thread that runs through all subjects, helping students to understand the impact of human actions on the planet.
Behavioural change starts at a young age, which means the earlier we instil sustainable behaviours, the better it will be for tomorrow’s society. Last year, primary schools across the UK took part in an educational programme launched by Beyond the Box. Children between the ages of five and eight were taught about the importance of using reusable, renewable, and recyclable packaging materials such as cardboard. The goal of the campaign was to inspire a generation of environmentally conscious consumers who understand the importance of sustainability.
We need to think of children as the future custodians of our planet. As we embark on a new school year, let’s advocate for a curriculum that values the importance of environmental education. By doing so, we can empower our children with the knowledge and values they need to protect and preserve our planet for generations to come.