How can sustainability education help address global challenges like climate change and poverty?

The Green School in Bali, Indonesia is one real-life example of sustainable education. The Green School is a forward-thinking educational institution that places a premium on sustainability, environmental protection, and holistic learning. This school is completely sustainable, with eco-friendly bamboo construction, solar electricity for energy needs, and a zero-waste philosophy. In their everyday curriculum, children learn about environmental stewardship, permaculture, renewable energy, and sustainability methods. Students learn through hands-on activities including organic gardening, garbage disposal, and renewable energy programs.

Sustainability education is a new model of education, which is aligned with the needs of the new world and which helps train people on how we can reach the SDGs. It is a more diverse and inclusive method of educating the world and educating in a manner which allows each and every one of us to understand what a sustainable citizen looks like.

We are in the situation we are in because of a lack of sustainable practices. In order to address climate change and poverty, we must educate on true sustainability which is much more than recycling. When people are empowered with knowledge, they can live sustainably as well as hold elected officials and corporations accountable, creating a better world for us all.

Sustainability and ESG considerations are rewiring the business world. They are becoming basic topics to be included in mainstream education syllabus, especially in Business school Finance, Marketing, Communications and Law are some examples of where Sustainability and ESG related topics would be relevant Finance and Accounting: Sustainable financing options for corporates. Sustainability reporting standards such as the ISSB (International Sustainability Standards Board) Marketing and Communications: How Sustainability can be used to reinforce branding, while also steering clear of greenwashing Law: Regulatory requirements around Sustainability standards (e.g. Environmental Risk Management guidelines for Financial Institutions)

Sustainability education involves a shift from traditional learning methods to a more experiential and interdisciplinary approach. This approach also encourages students to actively engage with their environment and community. It often includes project-based learning, where students can directly apply sustainability concepts to real world problems. This method encourage critical thinking and problem solving skills, which are essential for understanding the complexities of sustainable development and for innovating sustainable solutions.

Sustainability education stands as one of the most pertinent instruments for sparking both individual and collective action, equipping society with the necessary tools to tackle systemic and complex issues like climate change. These challenges, often perceived as daunting due to their holistic nature, require a comprehensive approach that encompasses various aspects of human life and the environment. The intricacy of these problems can sometimes act as a deterrent, slowing down the momentum needed for effective action. However, through sustainability education, individuals and communities are empowered with a deeper understanding and a clearer sense of direction.

Understanding the depth of sustainability issues is the first step in enacting impactful change. The more we learn and the earlier we do so, the better equipped we are to tackle these complex challenges. However, it's crucial that sustainability education is accessible to everyone. This inclusivity ensures a diverse range of perspectives and solutions. By democratizing this knowledge, we empower communities globally to contribute to a sustainable future.

This question is similar to asking why learning about computers is essential. Well, if you exist, you need to know computers. Similarly, if you exist today or want to exist in the future, you need to learn about Sustainability; however, the question is education for addressing the issue. Again, an overview level education is good to have, but you need to go deep within one challenge to address global challenges.

Sustainability education equips us with skills and values necessary to navigate the complexities of our global challenges. It cultivates critical thinking, enabling us to analyse information objectively. Beyond knowledge and skills, sustainability education instills in us the values and attitudes that drive transformative action. It is not merely about acquiring knowledge, it is about fostering a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of our world, empowering individuals to become agents of positive change.

"A butterfly can cause a hurricane on the other side of the globe" - the chaos theory by Laurenz shows not only how small effects can cause intense dynamics, but also how everything on this planet is interconnected. All living and nature are connected on our planet while every creature can have an impact on this system. Sustainable education is therefore one of the most powerful lessons we we will ever teach and be taught. We should teach our children and grandchildren from the earliest age on about this connection. We should educate them, how to use resources efficiently, how to treat each other with respect, how to collaborate, to share and to creatively find solutions for common challenges.

As Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Given that's exactly what we're seeking to do, education becomes central to our aspirations. Therefore, treating every email, conversation, and interaction as an opportunity to help educate, either directly or indirectly, is key to building the capacity and capabilities needed to address climate change. The important thing to remember is to know when it has to be done with a hug, and when, it has to be done with a kick in the a*se

In order to address climate change we need ‘all hands on deck” from governments, corporates, NGOs and each if us as individuals to be a part of this journey. Educating people, helping them understand not only the impact but also providing them with simple ways they can be a part of this mission, will make them feel both able to do so and engaged to do so.

Sustainability education serves as a pivotal gear in the fight against climate change. Rather than merely advocating as an activist, understanding the complexities through education ensures informed demands during protests. Climate action demands comprehensive strategies; proper education equips individuals to contribute meaningfully. Beyond personal impact, educated advocates foster awareness, influencing their communities positively. Moreover, a nuanced understanding enables constructive critique of pathways, essential for effective, well-rounded climate solutions. Education, thus, transforms individuals into informed contributors, strengthening the collective effort against climate change.

Sorry, but it cannot. It will give you a feeling that you can address climate change. - Deep education in GHG Scope 3 emissions might help - Deep education in LCA or circular economy might help - Deep education in renewable energy might help

Sustainability education empowers individuals to recognize their impacts and make informed choices, minimizing environmental footprints. This can elimintate resistance to initiatives addressing the climate crisis by illuminating linkages between daily habits and planetary health. An educated public also possesses capacity for grassroots innovation; sustainability challenges demand customized solutions aligned with local contexts. With knowledge of interconnected social, environmental and economic issues, communities can identify and implement the precise measures best fitting their circumstances to further objectives like decarbonization.

Sustainability and poverty are not independent topics. They are interlinked. To solve world poverty, we need sustainability. To become truly sustainable, we need to solve poverty. It's about time we look at our global issues holistically and step out of our echo chambers. Trying to solve issues in isolation only produces temporary patches, but not long-term solutions. When we embed sustainability in everything we do, we can lift people out of poverty, in a sustainable way. We can work together to provide livelihoods that are good for people and the planet.

1] Teaching sustainable farming and generating revenue. For instance, TechnoServe teaches African farmers, to increase yields and revenue. 2] Green technology training leads to employment creation. For example, Barefoot College trains rural residents as solar engineers, so boosting their lives. 3] Improving resource availability. Water.org, for example, teaches about water conservation, providing clean water, and eliminating poverty. 4] Promoting environmentally sustainable enterprise. For instance, the SEED Initiative assists sustainable enterprises in combating poverty.

Sustainability education plays a pivotal role in equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge needed for self sufficiency and economic resilience. This education often includes training in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy technologies, and efficient resource management, which are important for communities in poverty-stricken areas. By learning these skills, individuals can create sustainable livelihoods that are less dependent on external aid, thereby breaking the cycle of poverty.

Sustainability education plays a multifaceted role in addressing poverty by promoting sustainable livelihoods, empowering communities, fostering social justice, and promoting sustainable consumption. Sustainable Livelihoods and Economic Growth: Sustainability education equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to create and sustain sustainable livelihoods. It encourages them to explore environmentally friendly and socially responsible ways of generating income, such as sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and renewable energy enterprises. By promoting sustainable livelihoods, sustainability education helps reduce poverty by providing individuals with the means to meet their basic needs and improve their quality of life.

In an agricultural setting integrating sustainability education can push farmers to measure their efficiency. An example is food loss waste, the more a farmer can understand that a low packhouse output (eg 50% of crops being harvested from field being marketable) it can give a better understanding or real vs perceived cost of production. An understanding that the 50% is not only a commercial loss but detrimental to the environment, food loss contributes towards HG emissions. It can therefore inspire action and intervention. Not investing in a cold chain solution directly eats into their bottom line and increases unit cost per unit. Sustainability education can assist in more holistic consideration when carrying out a cost benefit analysis.

I'd like to share a case study from one of our clients to add more perspective to this. One of our clients ran a marketing impact campaign in which they placed a QR code to schedule a donation pickup and a message on each package saying, 'With this new purchase, why not give a new life to the ones you are not using anymore & help people & the planet?' This served as a subtle nudge for consumers to consider donating items each time they made a purchase. This approach not only helped the brand reach more people & amplify the message organically but also got thousands of people into the habit of regularly decluttering for good, creating a huge collective impact contributing to the goals we have for creating social and environmental impact.

Formal Settings (Schools, Universities): Curriculum Integration: Integrate sustainability themes across subjects like science, social studies, mathematics, and language arts. Create dedicated courses or modules focused explicitly on sustainability. Experiential Learning: Engage students in hands-on projects, field trips, and outdoor activities related to sustainability, such as gardening, waste audits, or renewable energy experiments. Informal Settings (Community Centers, NGOs, Workplaces): Awareness Campaigns: Organize workshops, seminars, and community events to raise awareness about sustainability issues and practical solutions, engaging community members of all ages.

As sustainability lead for a number of organizations, one of the first things I do is provide a company wide training on sustainability. I cover topics of corporate sustainability, sustainable development, the triple bottom line, investor expectations, governance, materiality, emissions categories and I show examples of emissions reduction projects. I also walk through parts of the sustainability report. This is a great way to get employees up to speed on basic sustainability concepts. Additionally, if it's conducted internally, then we don't have to hire consultants and I can get easy alignment from senior leadership to conduct the training.

I came across the service-learning model at high schools and universities. The service-learning model will help students to combine both academic learning with community service at the same time, and then promote sustainability education. I will give one example, a university organised a field trip for biology students to go to the forest. The university partnered with an event agency/environmental agency to incorporate team building activities, sustainability concepts/quizzes, and survival skills to challenge the students. After the field trip, students gain more knowledge and on-the-ground experiences with sustainability concepts.

Formal settings: -Incorporate sustainability concepts and skills into mainstream curriculum subjects like science, social studies, language arts, etc -Offer dedicated sustainability courses/certifications at all education levels from K-12 to university -Develop hands-on learning opportunities through school gardens, recycling programs, energy audits, etc. Informal settings: Offer sustainability workshops, trainings and programs through community centers, libraries, parks, museums Host community events, speaker series and activities around sustainability themes like cleanups Employ social media, newsletters and other digital platforms to engage residents in educational content Promote outdoor educational initiatives like forest therapy walks

1] Online Courses: Coursera and other platforms provide free sustainability courses from colleges such as the University of California, Irvine. 2] Internships and Volunteering: Organizations such as The Nature Conservancy provide hands-on environmental conservation opportunities. 3] Green Schools: Institutions such as Bali's Green School include sustainability in their curriculum. 4] Conferences and seminars: Events such as the International Conference on Sustainable Development foster debates on long-term solutions. 5] Books & Publications: William McDonough's "Cradle to Cradle" provides insights into environmentally beneficial techniques.

A key resource in my experience is the Climate Fresk. It's a fun and easy way to learn in a dynamic workshop about the basics of climate change. It helped me understand the bigger picture and how many causes and consequences are interlinked. The workshops can be run online and offline, to communities, corporates and educational institutions. There's a big opportunity for more people to become Climate Fresk Facilitators and help empower employees, students and citizens to take climate action.

There are many resources to improve awareness about sustainability. The impact is deeper when this awareness starts young. Here are some ways we can educate young minds on this topic. 1. Toolkits and teaching guides from the UNESCO Education for school-age children. 2. Children’s books that cover environmental topics and sustainability. 3. Educational videos and documentaries on sustainability issues.

There are thousands of podcasts, videos and blog posts on sustainability education. Harder is to find practical, in depth ways to participate and get your hands dirty - sometimes in actual dirt. Programs like Startmate's Climate Tech Fellowship allows you to work with companies building solutions and learn the practical challenges and feel the 'thrill' of implementation at the coal/wind farm face.

A diverse array of resources and opportunities are available to support sustainability education. These encompass online courses and educational platforms that provide comprehensive insights into sustainable practices. Additionally, community-based projects offer hands-on experiences, allowing individuals to actively engage with and apply sustainability concepts in real-world scenarios. Prominent organizations like the United Nations SDGs provide extensive educational materials, while initiatives such "Fridays for Future" offer interactive experiences for individuals to connect with sustainability issues. This diverse range of resources ensures a multifaceted approach to sustainability education, catering to various learning preferences.

The sustainability industry is full of individuals and companies who are so-called educated in sustainability, but we still cannot solve some of the biggest global problems. Why? Because this field, more than any other field, requires people to have the deepest of technical competencies. Learning about them is uncomfortable, boring and does not give instant gratification (that social media gives). It requires years of dedication and commitment. Hence, the question should be ' how deep technical education can help solve global challenges and how deep should you go' At the end of the day, people who are really making impactful changes are the people who were never educated in traditional sustainability education.

The concept of sustainability can be integrated into formal and informal school settings, where people learn and move from linear economy to circular economy re-use, recycle ??. Incentives for recycling could include contribution towards health insurance, school fees, discount with transportation etc, thus reducing the poverty circle and empowering vulnerable populations . The concept of climate change is the social responsibility of everyone. A better environment and planet impacts on the well-being of people

If we need to succeed the sustainability initiatives like climate change we have to link the local and global initiatives for net zero carbon in. the education sector in all the different levels. We should empower the academic sectors whether in schools/ universities or NGOs to have sustainable building capacity programs.

If you seek a good education in sustainability my advice is: 1) Question your current approach - does your offer/ product/ service create a positive impact on people and planet? 2) Seek experts in the field with more than 2-3 years experience. There are many with 3-minute experiences calling themselves experts. 3) Try and apply - go out and try.

We collectively face a myriad of complex and interconnected problems that threaten human and planetary wellbeing. “Education as usual”, which has been criticised for preparing students for life and work in service of consumption and national economies, will not be adequate for the task. Holistic, multidisciplinary education that integrates the social, environmental and economic pillars of sustainability and enables learners to contribute to more sustainable societies will play a crucial role in addressing these challenges. However, addressing complex and multifaceted challenges to sustainability demands innovative thinking regarding the nature and purpose of education and learning.