Experts Advocate for Climate Change Integration in Education Curricula

As African communities continue to contend with the devastating effects of climate change, experts advocate for the incorporation of climate change education into higher education curricula.

During a series of webinars examining the challenges and opportunities of incorporating health and climate change into university curricula, specialists from various disciplines were informed that the initiative would prepare young people for a future shaped by climate change.

They note that climate change has significant effects on humanity and that these effects may worsen in the coming decades.

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The purpose of enhancing access to educational resources on climate change is to prepare citizens to be aware of climate-related catastrophes, to be capable of mitigating potential risks, and to manage disasters.

The meeting highlighted ongoing efforts to bridge the divide between the health and environment sectors, citing milestones such as the 2008 Declaration of Libreville on health and environment and the 2011 World Health Organization (WHO) document on climate change and health.

Ms. Melvine Otieno, representing the Planetary Health Eastern African Hub, emphasized the urgent need to close the knowledge gap among university students, citing an ongoing collaborative project with the University of Eldoret, the Catholic University of Allied Sciences, and Wurzburg University in Germany.

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Ms. Otieno explained that our ongoing project, Strengthening One and Planetary Health (SOPHEA), aims to provide educational resources for institutions interested in integrating climate change and planetary health themes.

The primary objective of the project is to develop an educational toolkit tailored to university curricula, equipping future graduates with a thorough comprehension of the complex relationship between climate change and health and empowering them to effectively address these interconnected challenges.

Ms. Leah Aoko, a policy associate with Africa Research and Impact Network, echoed the importance of addressing the information gap, stating that equipping future policymakers with an understanding of the interrelationships between climate change and health would lead to the development of progressive and inclusive policies, especially those that benefit vulnerable populations.

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Prof. Brama Kone’, WHO’s regional officer in Africa, highlighted a challenge. This challenge revolves around securing political goodwill, funding, and commitment, which are important in advancing the set agendas during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

It took until the 26th COP to establish the COP 26 Health Initiative after 25 UNFCCC conferences.

Prof. Kone emphasized that this initiative is still seeking the necessary political leadership, funding, and commitment to address the intersection of climate change and health.

The experts say there is an urgent need for global action. This action should aim to close the knowledge gap and equip future leaders.

They should be able to address the challenges of climate change and health.

This requires raising awareness, securing political support, and allocating resources to combat the threat. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure a sustainable future.

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Experts Advocate for Climate Change Integration in Education Curricula