Alteration of Climate: Educational Proficiency in Schools

In the Anthropocene, a new geological era that recognises the substantial impacts human activities are having on Earth's systems, agency – the capacity to act – is more important than ever. The document "Agency in the Anthropocene: Supporting document to the PISA 2025 Science Framework" published by OECD Education Working Papers No. 297, identifies three key competencies for agency in this era: explaining the impact of human interactions with Earth's systems, making informed decisions based on diverse sources of evidence, and demonstrating hope and respect for diverse perspectives in seeking solutions to socio-ecological crises.

Across Aotearoa New Zealand, these competencies are being fostered in various ways. The New Zealand Curriculum, Te Mātaiaho, aims to help students build and navigate knowledge in ways that support their positive contribution to the world. The Science Learning Hub, an online resource, has curated collections of resources related to climate change, our atmosphere and climate, and Matariki and Environment Aotearoa.

One of the ways students are learning about climate change is through engaging activities like the "Climate data analysis" activity, which uses Google Data Studio to enable students to visualise and filter datasets of interest. The Hub also offers webinars such as "Exploring climate change education in secondary schools" and "Exploring climate change education in primary schools", providing support on how to teach climate change effectively.

Outside the classroom, students are taking action into their own hands. Across the country, students have organised school strikes and protest marches to demand climate justice. The Aotearoa Climate Education Coalition website includes newsletters that summarise initiatives and events to inspire participation and action.

Climate change is becoming increasingly evident in Aotearoa New Zealand, with changes in average and extreme temperatures, growing seasons, frost days, rainfall patterns, and the frequency of droughts. To address this challenge, measures to limit climate change impacts include reducing greenhouse gas emissions through decarbonization, protecting and restoring land ecosystems, promoting sustainable agriculture and energy use, implementing carbon capture and storage technologies, and managing water resources sustainably to prevent pollution and ecosystem collapse.

One example of such efforts is the Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust's work to restore the health of Lake Tūtira, one of the few places in Hawke's Bay with a banded kōkopu population.

Education plays a critical role in addressing climate change by encouraging attitude and behavior change, facilitating informed decision-making, and motivating young people to take action. NIWA's serious game "Township Flood Challenge" engages people in strategic thinking about adaptation actions as a result of climate change and extreme weather. The Science Learning Hub team has also curated a range of supporting resources in a Climate change Pinterest board.

Climate change is a significant challenge facing the world, particularly for young people. However, with the right education and resources, young people in Aotearoa New Zealand are rising to the challenge, demonstrating hope and respect for diverse perspectives in seeking solutions to socio-ecological crises. Their actions serve as a beacon of hope for a sustainable future.