Education is the most important aspect of an individual’s life. Presently education is digitalized, using tools such as admission management software from the very beginning of the session. Later, students use more such systems like an assignment management system, fees management system, etc. All these are to keep up with the dynamic digitalization of the educational institution.
The pandemic has affected institutions by changing the mediums of imparting and receiving education. It was and still is a big enough situational circumstance that forced students to change how they function. Climate change is another prime example that could be a threat to education.
What is climate change?
Climate change is the constant depletion of the quality of air, water, soil, and all elements of the earth due to changing climates caused by increased pollution from major industries in general and combined activities of individuals.
Climate change impact on education
Learning and education seem almost invisible when discussing climate change since it is not directly related. Yet climate change interrupts educational processes. Here are some severe impacts;
Physical destruction
The Climate crisis has caused several uncalled-for flash floods, fires, and natural disasters that have physically stopped students from going to school and delayed their learning processes. Because India has a tropical monsoon type of climate, the adverse impacts of climate change are severe.
Extra classes
Students spend a lot of time learning about climate change and its adverse impacts on methods of saving the earth and participating in activities to do the same.
While children learn about climate impacts, the rest of the world continues to remain ignorant and participate in polluting it more. Students could have saved much more time on improving personal skills and investing in other areas they like to study. Rather they are bound by a compulsion to learn about climate change. It is not a wrong thing to do but provided such a situation never existed because of the world’s circumstances, they could have prioritized other areas of importance.
School hours
Recently India went through constant heat waves. Some schools gave complete off after reopening for the first time since the pandemic. The next problem was adverse heat waves every day due to climate change. Students either missed out on classes or had to change their routine because the school curriculum changed timings to very early hours and evening hours for the safety of the students from the heat.
Global steps
Globally, the United Nations organization discusses several protocols with the first world and third world countries to solve the problem of climate change. One of the first steps taken was the Kyoto Protocol, which originated in Japan and aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Here are some protocols followed as global steps to lessen the impact of climate change;
Montreal protocol
The Montreal Protocol aimed to reduce the emissions of substances that deplete or depreciate the stratospheric ozone layer. Our ozone layer protects us from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Emissions of gases like chlorofluorocarbons, and halons deplete the ozone. Two decades ago there was a huge hole in this layer adjacent to the poles. It resulted in a rapid increase in global temperatures, increased harmful impacts of UV rays, and faster melting of ice sheets.
According to the guidelines provided by the Montreal Protocol, developed countries would entirely substitute their use of chlorofluorocarbons. For developing, or underdeveloped countries, the amount of ozone-depleting substances would be limited.
Kyoto Protocol
The most important protocol for climate change was the Kyoto Protocol, explaining guidelines and limits on the amount of emissions every country can produce. Because we cannot measure pollution, the amount of environmental emissions serves as an indirect measure of pollution.
Paris convention
The second phase of the Kyoto protocol, serving as a continuation after the steps to control the impacts of climate change up to some level, is the Paris convention. It has renewed laws based on modern-world scenarios, modern technology, and other global circumstances to tackle climate change.
These protocols are discussed at school to spread awareness about climate change and how the world takes steps to reduce its impact, and how students can participate in the movement.