The school classroom has long been known for maintaining its traditionality in spite of the rapidly technological and modernizing world. Characterized by the same set of subjects (i.e. English language, science, mathematics, and history), the American education system has rigidly upheld these primary four fields. With the advent of technology and recent issues, however, the concept of learning has been pliant to the demands of the world of tomorrow. Artificial intelligence and programming have become essential, as school children require necessary information to learn for the automated life ahead of them. Similarly, electives exist that allow students to pursue their personal passions and get involved in current events/politics.
However, one issue that has long evaded the curricula of schools is climate change. Though its cause is simple, society and hence teachers have long avoided the drudgery to actually initiate action and solutions. Even the very destructive and apparent consequences of this phenomenon are not even mentioned in a classroom conversation nationwide. It’s okay that we aren’t yet to fully endorse climate change as a separate course (I’ll get into this later), but the fact that we are avoiding discussions whatsoever is mind-boggling. According to a recent study by NPR, 61% of teachers don’t teach climate change because it’s not related to the subject they teach. This saddening excuse is amplified by the fact that 8 out of 10 K-12 school teachers support the notion that climate change should be taught to kids.
So, what’s the issue? Why don’t they simply become more creative and attempt to act on their beliefs? This ironic situation simply makes no sense, as teachers generally believe in climate education but don’t practice what they preach. This connects with the human ideology that we believe someone else will take care of the issue at hand, since we are too insignificant as individuals to play a role. And to a certain extent, that is true. But teachers have the ability to change the lives of millions of school children across the globe through the power of education. And THIS is why climate change must be taught in the classroom.
I could go on and explain all of the climate change effects, but we are swamped in the news by this already. So, let’s focus on one idea: the future. It’s certainly a scary thought, but these children that are learning how empires have risen and fallen, how species have evolved over hundreds of millions of years, and basic arithmetic are learning practically everything that’s happened except for the most important defining event of their lives. They are left to scour the internet for information about climate change, since they have no one besides their parents to speak with them. Classmates might try debunking the notion in their heads as an act of psychological denial. Without the voice of reason (teachers) in the children’s’ lives, their livelihoods slowly diminish akin to the flame of a candle. Others may argue to just never mention climate change, and to that I say we are depriving children of their right to live a happy and long life. We are purposefully robbing years of their lives by staying silent. So, let’s talk, let’s discuss and encourage avid discussion in the classroom, where students learn and embrace different viewpoints.
Educators, I implore you to look beyond your own fear and inspire the youth that will follow you. You all have achieved wonderful success in teaching children and eventually leading them to greatness with successful careers. But they may have found out about climate much later in life and attempted to deny its existence as so many elders today have done. But for in the year of 2019, every child must learn about climate change. They need to know, the truth can’t be hidden, and educators need to integrate it into their discussions. It literally affects every aspect of life moving forward: the economy, the Earth, human health, animals, etc. Staying silent now is the equivalent of a death sentence to millions of humans, animals, and plants in the near future. So, let’s talk and get children acquainted with the event that will plague their entire lives, rather than putting it off for later.
How would you feel if you were being methodically deceiving by someone who hides life-saving information? That’s how children around the world are beginning to feel; the Youth Climate Strikes themselves are not only expressing anger with the inaction in practically every government in the world, but also with every society and education/schooling system that has existed. A premeditated choice not to bring up the urgency of climate change as an educator hired by the state is unthinkable and deadly. I don’t blame the teachers fully, though. I blame the whole system, the government, all of it. Let’s educate the teachers properly first, so they can go ahead and educate the children about climate change as they rightfully should. Before being hired, they should pledge to include climate change into their discussions and there should also be a pro-climate administration that ensures the students are fully aware of what is to come. Let’s be a little braver, use our voice a little more, and if the teacher doesn’t spark it, let’s encourage the children to be the ones to spark a discussion in the classroom. To improve the education system, we might need to break it; whatever it takes.
ARJUN MARWAHA, 17, will be starting his Senior at Fairmount Preparatory Academy in September. His debut book, Our Changing Earth: Why Climate Change Matters to Young Peopleis available now on Amazon. You can learn more about Marwaha and his mission on his websiteand Instagram.