UNESCO To Ensure Environmental Literacy in Schools Worldwide
The importance of biodiversity to the planet has been widely accepted. However, the recognition of the need for biodiversity education in school systems is lacking. The United Nations Economic and Social Organization (UNESCO) published their study on the existence of biodiversity curriculum in schools across the world, finding only 19% of these schools referenced biodiversity and more than half lack curriculum on climate change. In addition, there was concern regarding lack of education in developing socio-emotional skills and action-oriented competencies that are vital to successful environmental and climate action.
UNESCO has stated the importance this curriculum holds for the long term sustainable and equitable use of biodiversity as well as its conservation. In response to the low level of attention to the subject, UNESCO aims to have biodiversity education implemented as part of the core curriculum in schools worldwide.
What Would Biodiversity Curriculum Look Like?
The long-term goal of implementing such a curriculum is to prepare students to understand and address interconnected global challenges, in addition to creating sustainable relationships with the environment. In order to achieve such a goal, it is necessary that the subject is prioritized and well formulated. UNESCO has already assisted several educational institutions in implementing and expanding biodiversity education. From assisting lectures of agriculture to interviewing local and indigenous groups, the curriculum is built by gaining an understanding of the local area and maintaining the existing ecosystems. This is done to appropriately teach students about the region they live in and provide an education rooted in sustainability.
As well as implementing comprehensive environmental education, there is also a need to integrate such learning with the social and emotional engagement of students as well as action-oriented competencies. This allows students to receive an education which relies on multiple sources of knowledge and action, aiding them in their ability to address complex issues related to sustainability and conservation. In order to give students more structure it is envisioned that schools should be charged with assisting organizing efforts to improve the local environment and take a ‘Whole School’ approach to these issues.
There is an emphasis made by UNESCO that these efforts should be spearheaded by national and intergovernmental environmental and educational actors. By providing this leadership goal, it is the obligation of individual states to see that this curriculum is properly implemented. The states will have to ensure this implementation by instituting national-level policy change that will result in the shift in educational policy.
Furthermore, it is necessary for these actors to collaborate to create momentum for this widespread shift of focus in education. UNESCO hopes the result of such leadership and collaboration will lead to global benchmarks and targets being met.
The Future of Biodiversity
The future of the planet relies on the advancement of environmental protection efforts. While efforts to increase awareness of this in recent years have shown great success, it is important to continue this momentum as the population shifts to a more sustainable future. Part of this is seeing that the next generations have the education and tools necessary to build such a future. By implementing biodiversity curriculum, our educational systems will not only be working to protect the environment, but also adequately preparing students for the world they are about to enter.
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