Environmental organisation Earthwatch Europe is on a mission to work with educators to embed environmental education within the UK curriculum, aiming to reach 50% of children from underserved communities by 2030 through its training programme for teachers, Teach Earth.
The organisation believes you can’t teach what you don’t know and teachers currently do not have the tools and skills to engage students with the environment. It hopes to solve the inequality of access for young people to nature and environmental careers.
The Statistics
84% of the UK’s population live in urban areas, with fewer than 1 in 10 children playing regularly outdoors.
83% of 8-15 year olds interviewed by Natural England in 2020 said being in nature made them happy and 73% of 8-16 year olds say they’re worried about the state of the planet.
92% of teachers are concerned about climate change, yet the majority of them have not received adequate training to educate students on it.
Unequal Opportunities for Underserved Communities
A global pandemic, an unprecedented lockdown and now the cost-of-living crisis have impacted on the education and opportunities for all young people, but in particular those who are part of communities that are already underserved. The divide between the children with access to nature, further education and the environmental careers vital for the future is widening as school budgets are tightening.
Despite growing eco-anxiety and significant pressure on future generations to commit to combating climate change, the education on how to do this is lacking. The UK government has published a new strategy on climate change education, but its implementation is years away. Current teacher training is falling short on climate science, so school children constantly miss out on opportunities to learn about the environment. Action is needed now.
Teach Earth – A Solution for Inclusion
Teach Earth is a programme of environmental and outdoor education for qualified teachers and teachers in training who work in urban and underserved communities. The programme includes online and in-person learning, with follow up to evaluate impact. The outdoor, in-person training hosted by Earthwatch Europe helps to build teachers’ confidence to talk about the natural world and to teach children to care for and value nature.
Teach Earth sees access to nature as paramount in the understanding of the environment. By offering climate science outside the classroom, with curriculum-linked resources and tangible actions, they say they are doing something very different to other programmes. The programme organisers highlight that this is not a forest school, it is science. In addition to the educational benefits, there are huge mental and physical health benefits to increasing time spent in the outdoors, especially needed in urban areas and amongst underserved communities.
They say: ‘The world is changing more rapidly than ever. Our future economies, jobs and lifestyles will be impacted by the environmental challenges we face today and we need to educate children now to be ready for this transition. Earthwatch has expertise in environmental education, outdoor learning and STEM – and, uniquely, can combine all three to enhance skills and knowledge, and maximise the impact of their work for the next generation. By partnering with Earthwatch, businesses can provide transformative experiences for teachers and create lasting, multi-generational change for a more sustainable future.”
Insurance provider Hastings Direct is a recent partner, investing in the programme on behalf of schools, who do not currently have the budget. Louise Underwood, Business Services Director, said: “At Hastings we are committed to doing the right thing, creating a positive impact whilst growing our business in a sustainable way. We are delighted to partner with Earthwatch, to support teachers to gain the knowledge and confidence they need to educate the next generation of change makers. Teach Earth will equip educators with the tools to help motivate and empower students with the knowledge they need to fight the climate crisis and adapt to its impacts. We are excited to be helping teachers and children connect with nature ”
Emma Rudzinskaite, Learning and Engagement Co-ordinator at Earthwatch concludes: “If the UK education system wishes to be world-leading, it has to prepare every child for adulthood in a net zero world, teach the green skills and agile, adaptable thinking, educate about survival, and hopefully perseverance and restoration. Otherwise we are painting a picture of a life that will no longer be sustainable, safe or even available.”
Quotes from Teach Earth participants:
‘This weekend has been life changing for me…I feel really empowered that I can make a positive impact, and my students and colleagues can too’
‘We’ve got the means to do these kinds of projects within in our school but we just didn’t know how to link everything together’
‘Everything that humans do affects what happens to nature, and then whatever happens in nature affects us back. So if the children don’t have the connection to nature and the appreciation of how nature works, they won’t be able to make the right choices for the future’
‘Understanding the privilege of my upbringing in nature and empowering me to not feel hopeless and be able to take what I have learnt and benefit pupils and other staff are my main gains. Plus the wealth of connections and resources.’
Click here for more information or email development@earthwatch.org.uk
Main image credit: Yoke
Post-Sustainability and Environmental Education: Remaking Education for the Future
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