Young Generation Actors for Climate Change seeks to equip young people, especially secondary school students, with the necessary skills and resources to respond proactively to climate-related challenges. An assessment of the intervention showed its efficacy in terms of the students’ competencies as environmental citizens, their comprehension of emotions related to climate change, and the development of climate change projects.
Young Generation Actors for Climate Change seeks to equip young people, especially secondary school students.
Promoting Climate Change Awareness through Environmental Education stems from the rising tide of shortcomings in environmental education by plugging a known gap in current research and opening a dialogue for the future. Targeting an audience of young scholars, academics, researchers, and policymakers, this project provides a much-needed dam of empirical evidence regarding the role of youth education in addressing one of the greatest challenges of our age.
Climate change education for high school students will increase their environmental knowledge and empowerment as good citizens.
Young Generation Actors for Climate Change project focuses on topics such as building resilience to climate change, green learning spaces, gender issues and concerns for developing countries, and the impact of young adults on the future of environmental sustainability. This implementation strategy of the Young Generation Actors for Climate Change project consists of participatory students to identify means of promoting a pro-sustainability approach and mentality within the school community.
This part will be based on and involves the realization of concrete actions/projects to be implemented within or outside the school of environmental safeguarding.
Climate change is a global problem with severe implications ranging from the distribution of goods to environmental, social, economic, and political issues. Although initiatives regarding global warming are very urgent, several studies have revealed a lack of public engagement in combating climate change.
Climate change education for high school students will increase their environmental knowledge and empowerment as good citizens. Students will be encouraged to identify opportunities to foster pro-environmental behaviors in their school and act as agents of change for their school community development. Addressing global climate change is a monumental battle that can only be fought by the leaders of tomorrow, but future leaders are molded through education and shaped by the leaders of today.
Rwanda is increasingly affected by climate change, especially higher temperatures and unpredictable rainfall. Flooding and landslides affect western and central districts; eastern and south-eastern areas suffer more from droughts. In May 2023 floods and landslides displaced over 18,000 people in 10 districts (out of 30) and resulted in 135 deaths. Some 10,942 houses, 41 schools, 4 health facilities, 8 water-treatment plants, 100 water supply systems and other critical infrastructure and crops were damaged. In response to the possible risk of food insecurity caused by climate change, the Government developed and implemented a National Disaster Preparedness Plan for the Flood Security and Nutrition Sector in May 2023.
Changes in temperature and precipitation and their distributions are the key drivers of climate and weather-related disasters that negatively affect Rwandans and the overall economy. The main risks/impacts adversely affect the population include droughts, floods, landslides, and storms. These are associated with damage to infrastructure, loss of lives and properties, crops, soil erosion, and water pollution. It is reported that climate change generated heavy rains, drought, flood, landslides, cropland damage, and famine between 1980 and 2017, which affected more than one million people, damaged more than 15,000 ha of cropland, and destroyed 23,000 houses.
Rwanda Climate Data Portal says Rwanda has experienced a temperature increase of 1.4°C since 1970, higher than the global average, and can expect an increase in temperature of up to 2.0°C by the 2030s from 1970. The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28, takes place from 30 November - 12 December 2023 in Dubai, UAE. This event brings together global leaders, policymakers, and activists to discuss and implement strategies for combating climate change and promoting sustainable development.
It is important to explore different educational strategies to evoke climate change and enhance environmentally friendly attitudes and behaviors. In this project, high school students' awareness and empowerment will attempt a step forward in this direction. Additionally, the project methodology attracts students to participate and express their emotions related to climate change through informative public speaking and panel discussions.
