Every November 20th, we celebrate children’s rights on World Children’s Day – their right to learn, to dream, and to grow up on a healthy, livable planet. However, growing up in 2025 means that children are coming of age at a time when the Earth is crying for care. 

When we look at the climate crisis through their eyes, we see things differently – and perhaps we adults can learn a thing or two from children.

Here are eight lessons children offer us, not because they have all the answers, but because their way of seeing the world reminds us what really matters.

1. Be Curious About Everything

Children ask “why” a hundred times a day; in fact it is a precursor to some of the most common questions asked by kids 6 and under. That curiosity is where we can learn about the world around us. When we ask more questions about things, like how our energy sources are created, how products are  made, or where our waste goes, we become aware of the systems that shape our planet and what  changes need to be made. Curiosity keeps us open-minded and ready to learn. As new research from the University of California, Santa Barbara shows, people who nurture their curiosity tend to stay more engaged with the world around them, exactly the kind of mindset that helps us care more deeply for the planet.

This is the foundation of environmentalism: understanding how human choices impact the Earth and engaging in mitigation of the harm we may cause.

2. Paper Beats Rock, Rock Beats Plastic

We don’t come out of the womb with a Christmas wish-list – but we are born with our imagination. Children can build a rocket from a box or a sword from a stick. They teach us that happiness can be found in keeping things we already have rather than purchasing new items. Repurposing the things we already have in our hands cuts down on waste and uses our imagination. The circular economy works the same way, it reminds us to give materials like plastic bottles or packaging a second life, keeping them in use instead of sending them to waste.

3. Outdoor Play Is How We Learn

Kids don’t just play outside, they soak it all in. Evidence from 2020 shows that kids who spend more time in nature have better mood, concentration, and ability to empathize with others. Whether it’s noticing the smell of rain or the buzz of bees, connecting with the natural world helps kids — and adults — feel happier, calmer, and more motivated to protect the planet. 

4. Turn Feelings Into Action

Children don’t hide their feelings about climate change. Climate anxiety is so prevalent that in 2021 more than half youth across the world report feeling sadness, anxiety, anger, powerlessness, helplessness, and guilt about the changing climate. These feelings affect their daily life, causing such symptoms as fatigue, insomnia, and panic attacks.  ; We cannot let kids roll over and take this way of life; they must  act on these feelings instead. Research has shown that when young people express what they feel about climate change and engage in climate action, it strengthens their sense of agency – and that’s where climate education plays a role. Learning about solutions and sharing knowledge can turn these feelings into purpose. A reminder for adults that caring out loud is powerful.

5. Don’t Let your Ego Overshadow Your Message 

Children don’t need big words to explain why we should take care of the Earth. They know: “It’s our home.” and  that could be all the reason they need. Children tend to simplify things, adults tend to overcomplicate things. Sometimes simple language is much more effective in inspiring people to act on climate issues. In the United States, for instance, where 99% of the population is literate, the average reading level is a 7th-8th grade level. It is more important to be understood than to be perceived as an all knowing expert.  

6. What’s Gonna Work? Teamwork! 

Change doesn’t come from one person doing it all, but from all of us doing our part. A national survey study from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication found that while many Americans care deeply about climate change and would take actions like signing petitions or attending rallies,only about 6-16% actually do these things. The researchers discovered this by analyzing how people’s sense of shared responsibility influences their willingness to act. The study shows that we’re more likely to take action when we feel part of a collective effort rather than doing it all by ourselves. It’s through working together, asking questions, experimenting, and sharing ideas that we find the most effective ways to mitigate climate change. 

7. Empathy is as important as Science

Children not only absorb information; they experience stories. This unique mix of empathy and knowledge fuels lasting dedication. As for grown-ups, empathy means compassion in policies and practices that safeguard other people, and more specifically those hit hardest by the crisis. One effective way to build empathy is through reading stories and narratives that help us understand different perspectives. Developing emotional intelligence is just as important as understanding science. After all, Emotional intelligence is a crucial climate skill, one that is often overlooked in efforts to tackle climate change. 

8. Celebrate Small Wins

Children celebrate when they complete a puzzle or harvest their first tomato. Adults can use more of that happiness. Small wins can build momentum. Psychologists say that recognizing progress can help individuals sustain new behaviors.In taking climate action, it’s all about celebrating small wins to keep ourselves motivated. Whether through planting a garden, diverting waste, or creating art that reflects hope and concern, these activities help us connect with the planet on an emotional level. Art lets people envision the change, communicate their emotions, and could inspire others to begin the important work of healing our planet.

World Children’s Day is a time to remember that children have a right to a safe future.They also remind us that learning can go both ways. They demonstrate that caring for the planet doesn’t have to be a complicated task, it can start with curiosity, play, empathy and hope. Perhaps saving the planet isn’t always just about science or politics. Sometimes it’s about learning again, to see the world like a child does, as something worth loving.

But understandably love alone isn’t enough. Children deserve strong climate education and strong national climate commitments that safeguard their future. To help make that possible, sign EARTHDAY.ORG’s Pledge to Support Climate and Environmental Literacy, urging governments to include climate education in their NDCs. Every signature helps turn big goals into real classroom action and a more climate-literate world.

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When we walk into a classroom today, humans are not the only teachers we’ll see. Instead, we might see AI helping kids with a tailored math lesson or a reading app picking stories based on each student’s level. Around the world, 86% of students use AI for their school work and 60% of teachers use AI technology as a learning tool to make lessons more engaging and personal. The modern age of technology is improving learning more than we could have ever imagined. This growing presence of AI is transforming how schools teach and how students learn, forcing educators to rethink traditional lessons and the skills students need for the future.

A New Kind of Classroom

Across the world, new AI curriculums are readying students for a digital future. In the United Arab Emirates, their curriculum spans seven key areas; beginning with foundational concepts, such as how AI functions and why data matters. It also includes understanding AI’s impact on society, where students explore how AI affects daily life, decision-making, and communities. The curriculum emphasizes real-world applications, preparing students to use AI to solve practical problems and get ready for the evolving workforce. With AI adoption on the rise—currently used daily by 78% of companies—understanding its impact is more critical than ever. 

As this is uncharted territory, there are ethical concerns that come into play. In Georgia (U.S), a high school even teaches “AI ethics,” where students don’t just learn how AI works, they explore real questions like, “Can AI be biased?” or “What happens when technology makes decisions for people?”. AI isn’t just about technical skills, it’s also a gateway for students to explore some of the biggest questions of our time, including climate change.

Why Climate Learning Can’t Wait

Climate change is no longer a science lesson alone; it intrudes on the students’ everyday life. Hotter days, more intense storms, and disrupted seasonal patterns are part of their daily reality. In fact, about 400 million students globally experienced school closures between 2022 and 2024 due to extreme weather. Climate change is more than a phrase taught in class; it’s affecting schools.

And it is not just education buildings at risk; as a result of rising temperatures, jobs are being affected. It is now a necessity to have knowledge of how the climate will affect your work. Those with green skills are 29% more likely to be hired on LinkedIn than the average job seeker, regardless of the career. That is why studying climate cannot be an additional subject; it needs to be infused in all school subjects. This is where AI and climate lessons must work in tandem.

AI can make this learning a reality. AI can be used by students to view how sea-level rise will influence their communities or to monitor air quality in their region and gameplan how to ensure their well-being. How do we know? Because it already is. AI is already assisting students in modeling energy decisions(like when school lights or heaters are used) and their effect on the planet in several schools. 

But for this learning to truly work, it can’t be just about numbers and statistics. It has to connect to people, culture, and real solutions. For instance, by teaching lessons based on Indigenous knowledge alongside modern skills like critical thinking and digital literacy, students have internalized the human side of climate change, allowing them to take meaningful action, and prepare for future careers in the green economy. In other words, combining AI tools with human-centered learning is what makes this approach effective and impactful.

Schools Prove What’s Possible

There are schools that are already illustrating what such a future could look like.

At Alpha School, a private school in Texas, Florida, and soon North Carolina and New York, students complete core subjects in only two hours each morning with the help of learning tools, while still scoring high SAT and MAP scores. This leaves afternoons focused on life skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, along with hands-on projects. Students might monitor local weather, calculate energy use, or analyze school water consumption to find ways to reduce waste. These real-world projects let students apply lessons, build practical skills, and connect climate education to everyday life.

At Shenzhen Zhili Middle School in China, a Tsinghua University and UNESCO program is assisting students in learning about climate problems through AI across various subjects. Through interactive tools such as carbon footprint simulations and mock UN climate conventions, students combine science, technology, and social studies to learn about global challenges and take actual action in their own communities.

Seckinger High School in Georgia is incorporating AI skills into every subject: from science to civic leadership and even art. Also, as part of its AI pathway, students learn how to think carefully about the responsible use of AI and how their decisions can affect people and communities. They also get hands-on practice with tools like data analysis programs and AI simulations. These skills can be used in projects like assessing local flood risks or estimating a school’s carbon footprint.

Teaching Climate Smarter with AI

Using AI across all subjects helps students connect lessons to real-world challenges. To make this efficient learning possible, we have to get back to basics. Climate learning can’t just occur once weekly in science class. Math class, history class, art class, and language class can all be related to climate in manners that feel organic and interesting. With AI, teachers can make this integration easier and more engaging. For example, math lessons could analyze local weather data to teach statistics, history classes could explore how ancient civilizations adapted to environmental changes, and language classes could use AI tools to help with brainstorming, fact-checking, or even proofreading, while students craft their own essays or poems exploring their community’s connection to nature. By blending AI with everyday subjects, climate education feels more natural, practical, and inspiring.

However, teachers require assistance, training, time, and tools, to utilize AI with confidence and for good reason. In some settings, AI training comes in the form of short workshops or bootcamps where educators practice using tools like AI chatbots, lesson generators, or grading assistants to build familiarity. For example, the Microsoft Educator bootcamp teaches how to create lesson plans and quizzes using AI tools, while other programs partner with schools to build ongoing professional learning communities around AI in teaching.

And learning has to go outside the classroom as well. When students are in control of projects like tree planting, reducing waste, or auditing the energy use of their school, the lessons stick. It gets information into action, and gives students a feeling of hope and empowerment. 

Hope in the Hands of Students

AI can make learning more personalized and innovative. But its true worth will lie in how we implement it. By combining AI with strong climate education, Indigenous knowledge, and project-based learning, we can prepare students not just for tomorrow’s careers but for the critical mission of creating a better world. 

The tools are here. The next step is ours: to create classrooms where students don’t just learn about change, they lead it. If you’re wondering how to get started, please explore and utilize our freely accessible climate education resources, designed to help educators and communities put ideas into action.

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Every 27th of September, the globe marks World Tourism Day; it is traditionally a day to appreciate culture, work, and travel.  But in 2025, it’s hard to ignore the economic, social, and environmental strain the sector is facing.

Tourism is more than beaches and planes. Tourism provides communities across the planet with  their livelihoods. The worldwide tourism industry was worth $10.9 trillion in 2024, or 10% of the global economy, and is projected to contribute $11.7 trillion in 2025, supporting 357 million jobs in 2024 and an estimated 371 million in 2025. 

But climate change and mass tourism is changing how, where, and why we travel. Over a decade ago, a synthesis of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) report noted that tourism contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, but it is also vulnerable to climate change; as destinations are altered or damaged, travel demand will inevitably shift. That is a reality playing out globally today.

Climate Change Is Changing Tourism

Tourism contributes an estimated 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through aviation, cruise ships , and car travel according to a 2018 study. Current research focusing on tourism between 2009 and 2019 corroborates that emissions expand in tandem with rising international travel. The UN World Tourism Organization and International Transport Forum estimate that if action is not taken, transport emissions associated with tourism will increase by 25% between 2016 and 2030.

The IPCC notes that tourism is highly  vulnerable to climate change, especially in mountain locations, coastal communities, and world heritage sites. Ski destinations may need costly artificial snow-making machinery to stay open. Coastal regions face rising seas that endanger beaches and ports, particularly in the Caribbean and Pacific. 

For example in Costa Rica, coral reef systems are under stress from both warming seas and visitor numbers, which is a concern for a country where tourism accounts for roughly 8.2% of its GDP directly and 8.8% of all employment.  Damage to Costa Rica’s reefs threatens both jobs, the economy, biodiversity and the natural beauty that attracts tourists in the first place.  

Costa Rica is just one example. In the Himalayas, floods and landslides linked to climate change are making pilgrimages to Kedarnath, a revered Hindu temple town increasingly dangerous. In Greenland, the melting ice is reshaping tourism.In 2024, it contributed to almost 5% of the nation’s GDP,  supporting more than 6% of jobs, that is a big deal. But nobody will come if Greenland’s ice is gone. Across the Alps, researchers warn that some ski resorts, typically the smaller ones,  may lose viability as shorter winters make snow seasons unreliable. No matter the climate, nor the impact of climate change, nations dependent on tourism are already feeling the pain.

The World Bank is calling for “resilient, higher-value tourism” – meaning that in the future tourist destinations might prefer fewer visitors, each spending more, rather than mass, low-cost models. Researchers have suggested ‘slow tourism’ as another approach: traveling less often but those that do visit staying for longer visits, to experience intensive engagement with local culture

Mass Tourism Is Europe’s Breaking Point

But it’s not just the climate reshaping tourism, tourism itself is challenging communities. Mass tourism damages fragile environments, leads to overcrowding, strains local resources like water supplies and raises living costs for locals. The European Parliament warns that overtourism can impact the quality of life for residents and pushes cities past their carrying capacity.

This is why Venice  introduced day-tripper charges and restricted cruise ships, Amsterdam restricted the expansion and development of new hotels and short-term rentals, and Barcelona raised its tourist tax surcharge. The BBC described it as a wave of new tourist fines sweeping Europe.

The silver lining is that solutions are available, and international efforts are already underway. One example is the The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, a global commitment launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2021. Although it’s named after the city, the declaration is not just for Scotland — it involves tourism businesses, governments, and organizations from around the world. Its goal is to cut tourism-related carbon emissions in half by 2030 and reach net zero before 2050. The Global Center on Adaptation also notes that tourism can help strengthen resilience by supporting local communities as they adapt to climate change.

However, according to the 2023 Implementation Report, progress has been slow: only about one-third of the signatories have developed measurable action plans so far. 

From Vacation to Climate Education

Some experts have supported the idea that tourism can also become a teaching tool. For example,  Colorado and other US states are updating  K–12 science standards to include climate content and the challenges facing tourism, Europe’s restrictions, shrinking ski seasons, dying reefs – offer tangible case studies. 

This approach connects climate change directly to jobs, culture, and  everyday choices. So that tourism  is seen as not just a victim of it but instead contributing to the problem. Rather than shying away from the issue, education can turn it into an opportunity.

How? Well tourism shows us the entire gamut of climate change: the emissions that fuel it, the destinations it endangers, the jobs it threatens, and the communities that push back. On this World Tourism Day, the challenge is not to stop traveling, but to learn from it.

If we teach everyone about tourism as part of climate education, the next generation will see tourism not just as an escape, but as a responsibility. The message is straightforward: the way we travel today will define the places that will survive tomorrow.

Comparing how climate change is influencing our world in tangible ways, be it broken reefs or shorter ski seasons, students can see how travel choices matter. To help bring climate lessons to life, educators and students can explore our Climate Education webpage, including teaching guides, toolkits, and lesson plans.  Subscribe to our newsletter to get more information and advice about how to incorporate interdisciplinary climate learning.

Remember to make wise choices when you travel. Be mindful of how your actions impact local communities, the environment and feed climate change.

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On August 9 every year, the world marks International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. A day that reminds us that Indigenous peoples are some of the world’s oldest and most successful environmental guardians. Before “climate education” was a term in classrooms, First and Indigenous  people were educating through generations of lived experience and embedding their profound cultural connections to land, water, and biodiversity into everyday life.Indigenous knowledge is not only the past. It is alive, adapting, and urgently present. From the rainforests of Southeast Asia to the Arctic tundra to the Australian outback, Indigenous peoples are custodians for about 80% of the Earth’s remaining biodiversity, yet they comprise only about 6% of the world’s population. This exemplary stewardship is not an accident. It is the result of centuries of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) transmitted through oral narrative, seasonal ceremonies, and land-based learning. 

 Yet today, the climate crisis comes for their homelands first and unjustly  the climate crisis now imperils Indigenous homelands and their ancient ways of life more than perhaps any other population. We may view them as victims of the climate crisis, but on another level, they are powerful innovators and leaders. Here are some ways they are still teaching us that doing right by the planet and climate education cannot be separated.

The Mentawai (Indonesia) – Forest as Classroom

On the Mentawai Islands, school is about forest life. Kids learn from shamans (sikerei) to harvest sago, heal themselves with plants, and respect the spirits of the land. Recent studies (2023) show that forests managed by Indigenous peoples such as the Mentawai have more stored carbon and preserve more biodiversity than government managed or commercial forests. These lands alone globally contain more than 20% of tropical forest carbon and are central to climate stability.

The Yurok and Karuk (USA) – Cultural Burning to Prevent Wildfires

For centuries, Native American (The Yurok and Karuk) tribes in Northern California have used cultural burning (controlled, seasonal fires) to reduce wildfire risk and create healthy landscapes. However, for many decades, these traditional practices were prohibited by state policies (read: California Act of 1850 article 10 and Weeks Act of 1911), which suppressed cultural burning in favor of Euro-American forest management. After this long period of fire suppression, their knowledge is now rightly influencing forest policy. A 2023 study found that in areas where cultural burns were allowed again, the risk of high-severity wildfires dropped by around 60%.

The Ngāti Awa (New Zealand) – Restoring Life Below Water

When mussel populations declined in Ōhiwa Harbour, the Ngāti Awa people combined two tactics- no-fish areas with reseeding of shellfish. Since 2019, Ngāti Awa’s ecological restoration at Ōhiwa Harbour has grown mussel numbers from around 80,000 to more than 45 million individual mussels by 2024, proving  that Indigenous knowledge (mātauranga Māori) and science can effectively rejuvenate marine ecosystems.

The Lepcha (India) – Farming in Harmony with the Mountains

Sikkim farmers of Lepcha in the Eastern Himalayas employ terracing, crop rotation, and bird and cloud weather indicators to grow food without chemicals. Their agroforestry maintains mountain biodiversity and fosters intergenerational respect for nature’s rhythms.

The Tagbanwa (Philippines) – Sea Guardians of Palawan

In Palawan shores, Tagbanwa communities structure marine spaces through sacred laws and fishing calendars.Their territories have no-take zones, seasonal harvesting, and deep respect for the spirits of the sea. A 2023 article from the ICCA Consortium and a 2024 case study from the Darwin Initiative demonstrate that such Indigenous practices have protected coral reefs, replenished marine ecosystems, and deterred destructive fishing. 

The Sámi (Arctic Europe) – Herding Reindeer, Navigating a Warming World

The Sámi have relied on snow and animal patterns to guide reindeer herding for centuries. Now melting permafrost and unpredictable winters imperil that knowledge, and their future. Sámi young people are taking the initiative, calling for climate policies that honor both Indigenous science and sovereignty.

What Can We Do 

These six communities remind us that living in harmony with nature is not new, but is rooted in Indigenous knowledge and tradition. Yet across the globe, the individuals who possess this knowledge typically are in danger of losing their lands, language, and ways of life.

Here a few ways we can support and stand with Indigenous peoples:

• Respect land and Indigenous rights. Land is not just a resource, its identity, history, and future. Maintaining Indigenous land rights allows communities to continue their stewardship.
• Support Indigenous-led efforts. Funding and following the lead of Indigenous organizations enables local solutions to global problems.
• Make room for Indigenous leadership. From youth movements to climate summits, representation matters. Listening is step one.
• Learn together. Parents, students, and educators can assist in bringing Indigenous knowledge into how we learn and teach about climate change.
• Keep the conversation going. Whether through books, films, courses, or daily discussion, talking about Indigenous contributions keeps them visible.

The world’s oldest climate educators are still teaching us. Our job is to listen to them, learn from them, and act – so that the next generation grows up valuing their deep knowledge that’s kept the planet thriving for centuries. 

On this International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, it is important to celebrate their wisdom, as well as create space for it in our own classrooms.  The future and success of climate education needs it.

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Every July 15th, World Youth Skills Day  shines a spotlight on the incredible talents and limitless potential of young people around the globe. This year, the celebration takes on a futuristic twist, highlighting how artificial intelligence and digital skills are empowering youth to navigate—and shape—an ever-evolving job market. As technology transforms the world of work at lightning speed, today’s youth are not just keeping up; they’re leading the way into a smarter, more connected future.

AI is redefining education, work, and life. But we need to pose one question: Where does climate education fit into all of this?

AI  might open up new job opportunities, but the climate crisis is the biggest issue young people will face in the coming years. It is not enough to educate young people solely in computer literacy. If we don’t educate them about the climate crisis too, we are in danger of leaving them ill-equipped for the world they’re going to inherit.

Education Should Reflect the World Young People Will Inherit

The climate crisis impacts every area of life – from the professions young people pursue to the places they settle. The reality is, our world is not doing well. Weather catastrophes, species extinction, and plastic pollution are reshaping and impacting every aspect of our lives. 

Climate change is no longer just an environmental issue—it’s a force reshaping every part of our lives. It’s disrupting economies, deepening social inequalities, and accelerating technological change all at once. The impacts reach far beyond melting glaciers and rising seas: climate change threatens jobs, health, food security, and even where people can live, with the poorest and most vulnerable bearing the brunt of these risks. As new technologies emerge to address these challenges, the need to tackle climate change as a social, economic, and technological crisis has never been more urgent

Which is why the next generation of workers is going to need more than computer coding and technical skills to secure their futures.  They must have climate literacy – understanding how the earth operates, why the earth is heating up, and how to restore the planet, hardwired into their education. In short: climate education has to be on the curriculum.

Tech and the Planet Don’t Have to Compete – They Need to Unite

It is easy to frame it as a problem: should schools focus more on AI and digital skills, or on sustainability and climate change?

But that’s a false choice.

We need both. Climate change is not just an environmental phenomenon, it also affects the economy, society, and technology. The next generation needs to operate in a world where the global temperature is increasing and modern technologies are growing all at the same time. 

Imagine students learning and using AI tools that allow them to track illegal logging and fishing, prevent food waste, or increase the efficiency and use of renewable energy. Moreover, AI and digital technologies can accelerate climate solutions, such as forecasting weather catastrophes and optimizing energy consumption. Educating youth on both digital skills and climate awareness uniquely equips them to develop green technologies, establish sustainable businesses, and make informed decisions. That is climate education in action.

It’s Already Happening

In many places, some schools are already taking the lead by incorporating climate topics in computer class. For instance, High School students in Mexico built an app to track carbon use. In Wisconsin, university students did something analogous by creating the MyEarth app, which lets people track their daily energy use and see how small actions add up to big carbon savings. Similarly, young leaders in Hudson, New York, launched “Watts in Your Hands?”, an interactive workshop empowering community members to reduce their carbon footprints through energy conservation and affordable eco-friendly solutions.

Students at the University of Connecticut are using AI to help map beaver dens across the state, helping scientists better protect local ecosystems. At the University of Vermont, students organized an Earth Action Day Roundtable that brought together youth activists and local government officials to discuss renewable energy policies and climate resilience strategies for their city and state. Students participating in the Oxford Saïd Global Climate Change Challenge collaborated worldwide to develop innovative solutions addressing key climate issues like air pollution, food security, and biodiversity, with finalists presenting their projects at prestigious global forums.

In learning how to use AI to make these projects successful, students are also taught its impact – as using large AI models can consume a lot of water and electricity. Because while AI offers us a means to find solutions, running and training large AI models requires enormous amounts of electricity. Global data center power demand is projected to more than double by 2030, matching the total electricity use of entire countries—with significant water use for cooling these massive computing facilities as well.

Generation Green: Empowering Youth to Lead the Climate Revolution

What is clear is that young people across the globe care a lot about climate action. They want to know how they can sustain their planet and create lasting futures. The good news is that the exploding green economy is  creating millions of new job opportunities in clean energy, nature conservation, and sustainable manufacturing. The International Labour Organization predicts that ‘green jobs’ will number 100 million by 2030. These careers will require workers who understand both technology and climate literacy.

By integrating climate education into youth skills training, we equip them not only for the job market but for meaningful roles in society. Green skills are essential in creating a sustainable world and enabling youths to succeed. That’s why educational systems must evolve – to prepare young people with both types of skills.

Moving Forward: Climate Education as a Priority

On World Youth Skills Day, we mark and celebrate the potential of our youth. But we also acknowledge our obligation. We have a duty towards the next generation. We owe them an education that reflects the real world and gives them the skills they will need to navigate the challenges ahead. 

Let us work towards making climate education a part of every skills training program. For AI won’t save the world, but climate-educated young people just may.

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Each June 5th, World Environment Day unites individuals around the world to consider the health of our planet. When we discuss climate action, we tend to focus on big moves such as government led global climate talks, protests, clean tech innovation, and policy shifts. These all matter. But one of the most powerful tools we have is often overlooked: education.

Not as a sidebar or awareness campaign, but as a fundamental strategy. If we’re looking for long-term solutions to the climate crisis, we have to begin in the classroom.

All too often, climate education is treated like a “nice to have if there’s time” kind of thing, an add-on rather than a core requirement. But the data says otherwise. In EARTHDAY.ORG’s 2024 Climate Education Report, data highlighted that the majority of parents, educators, and students all called for more climate education. Why? Because education isn’t simply the transmission of information; it shapes how young people interpret the world, how they act in the face of crisis, and how they envision their future.

Good climate education doesn’t stop at awareness. It creates agency.

Climate change, plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, these are massive problems. And for many students, school is where they first learn about them. 

Often, it’s through teachers, classroom projects, or activities like Earth Day that students begin to understand how human activity impacts the world around them.

Climate education and environmental knowledge help students to engage with difficult emotions such as fear and anxiety, then move toward action. They teach problem-solving, critical thinking, and community leadership, equipping a generation that’s not just aware, but able to act.

When learning is tied to real-world issues, students feel like they’re part of something bigger, and that their own actions, no matter how small, matter.

Education becomes experience. Ideas become habits.

Around the world, students are turning classroom lessons into action: organizing community clean-ups, planting school gardens, starting recycling programs, or speaking to assemblies about climate issues in their own communities. These aren’t huge one and done global initiatives, but they’re real – and accumulative – and they make climate action visible. In these small moments, education becomes experience and ideas become habits.

Earth Day plays a key role here. It’s one of the few times in the school calendar when climate issues take center stage. Earth Day events encourage hands-on learning: community clean-ups, tree plantings, art projects, debates. These activities don’t just engage students, they remind teachers, principals, and even parents that students can lead.

Recently, EARTHDAY.ORG launched a student-initiated project initiative for Earth Day 2025 called the “Earth Day Showcase.” Hundreds of educators around the world guided their students to participate and share their Earth Day project. It’s a powerful way to show children that their education and voices truly matter.

Not every student will grow up to be a climate activist. But all of them will grow up to be voters, consumers, workers, and decision-makers whose everyday choices impact the planet. That’s why climate education is about more than one-day events.

When environmental topics are woven into regular classroom subjects – science, geography, literature, even art — they help form critical thinkers who can understand complex issues and contribute to real solutions. These are the individuals we’ll need in the years ahead. The ones that are not just aware of the crisis, but ready to lead and adapt.

If we want change, we can’t ignore the role of education.

As we mark World Environment Day this June, we recognize that no single day will solve the crisis. But it is a perfect opportunity to ask: what would happen if we treated education as central to every environmental effort? What if we invested in climate literacy the way we invest in energy, policy, or infrastructure?

Because ultimately, education is infrastructure. It’s the foundation that supports everything else. You can’t build a green economy without a generation that understands sustainability. You can’t fight misinformation if people aren’t taught how to evaluate evidence. You can’t expect bold leadership without preparation.

A strong environmental movement starts in the classroom.

The climate crisis demands many things – innovation, leadership, urgency – but none of it will be sustainable without education. World Environment Day reminds us that protecting the planet is not just about what we do today, but also what we teach for tomorrow.If we want lasting change, we have to start in the classroom. If you are an educator or a student, please consider using our free climate education resources.

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Every year, January 24th marks International Education Day—a day to reflect on the transformative power of education. This is an ideal time to focus on the importance of climate education and the innovative methods that can make it more engaging and effective.

Climate change is a challenge that demands urgent action from all corners of the world. One of the most powerful ways to tackle this crisis is by equipping young people with the knowledge and skills they need to understand and respond to climate change. The next generation needs climate education that goes beyond the textbook—education that is engaging, actionable, and inspiring.

In the United States, climate education began to take shape in 2007 with the introduction of The Climate Change Education Act. Co-sponsored by then-Senator Barack Obama and Representative Michael Honda, the bill aimed to fund climate education programs in schools. While this was a significant step forward, a critical question remains: How do we teach kids about climate change in a way that inspires them to care—and act? Many say project-based learning is the answer. 

Project-Based Learning: Activity-Based Climate Education  

Project-Based Learning is an educational methodology whereby students are put to work with projects that have to be completed by providing solutions to real-life problems. Instead of just reading about climate change in a book, students are tasked to provide solutions to very real issues and learn in the process.  This approach develops critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration—all skills that are instrumental in addressing climate change.  

Studies, such as Lucas Education Research and the University of Michigan, prove that students in PBL classrooms do better than their peers in traditional classrooms. It makes sense when we think about it: teaching students to tackle real-life problems, like climate change, can make lessons more personally relevant and therefore engaging.   

Why Project-Based Learning Works for Climate Education  

PBL offers several benefits for both students and teachers, making it an effective approach for teaching climate change.   

Increased Engagement

Tackling real-world problems motivates students, as they can see the tangible impact of their efforts. 

Deeper Learning

PBL encourages students to move beyond memorization, developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills essential for addressing complex issues like climate change.

Real-World Application

Students develop skills that are applicable outside the classroom, giving them tools to address real-life challenges.

Collaboration and Communication

Most PBL projects require teamwork, enhancing communication and collaboration skills. 

Interdisciplinary Learning

Climate change touches nearly every subject—science, social studies, language arts, and more. PBL integrates these areas, offering a holistic learning experience.  

Studies show that 65% of young people want to understand how climate change will affect their futures. PBL aligns with this desire, as it empowers students to find solutions to real-world problems and reinforces the idea that they can make a difference.  

Inspiring Project Ideas for Climate Education  

At EarthDay.org, our core focus of climate education includes three critical components: climate mental wellbeing, green muscle memory, and climate solutions. Many of Earth Day’s campaigns can align with PBL to meet these components:  

Zero Waste

Students can organize clean-up drives, educate people through campaigns, or suggest some innovative alternatives to single-way plastics.  

Sustainable Fashion

In this project, students can engage in research regarding the environmental impact of the fashion industry, host workshops on sustainability, and even design their own eco-friendly clothing line.  

Foodprints for the Future

Students can calculate the impact of their diet and raise awareness for sustainable eating like sourcing food locally and eating produce that is in season.  

These projects empower students to be part of the solution, fostering a sense of agency that helps alleviate their climate anxiety, while also equipping them with the knowledge to continue their climate action with less effort in the future.   

Join the Earth Day Educator Initiative  

In honor of the 55th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2025, we announce a new program that brings together educators from around the world. The new Earth Day Educator Representative program establishes an international network of teachers that would advance climate education in schools. Through this program, teachers will have access to fully free and seamlessly integrated climate education resources for their classrooms.   

We also believe that students’ voices should be heard. That’s why, in April 2025, we’ll be hosting the Earth Day Showcase to highlight student-led climate projects from schools around the world. This event will help amplify the work of young climate advocates and show the power of education in driving change.   

Educators can get involved by registering their schools as Earth Day Educator Representatives and submitting student’s climate projects to the Earth Day Showcase. By participating, educators and students will be joining a global movement for climate action. 

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org.

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