The Global Climate Crisis and the Role of Education

Climate Change is the defining issue of our time and we are at a defining moment. Without drastic action today, adapting to these impacts in the future will be more difficult and costly for future generations.

Young people are disproportionately affected by climate change, even though they are the least responsible for the crisis. Currently nearly 90% of the world’s 1.8 billion youth between the ages of 10-24 live in developing countries.  

Taking action to combat climate change is impossible without climate education. Yet, recent UNESCO findings reveal that around half of 100 countries reviewed had no mention of climate change in their national curricula. Furthermore, while 95% of surveyed primary and secondary teachers felt that teaching climate change is important, less than 30% expressed a readiness to teach it. Most alarmingly, a recent study revealed that 70% of 16–25-year-olds feel extremely or very worried about climate change.

Addressing this global climate crisis requires well-informed and engaged young people, making education a critical tool in the fight against climate change. As we strive to combat climate change, the role of green education in raising awareness, fostering understanding, and empowering youth to gain insight into the complexity of the climate crisis, the interconnectedness of global sustainability challenges, as well as how to lead community-based climate action cannot be overstated.

What We Do

Since being established in 2005, ROTA, together with partners, volunteers, and local communities, has provided education and training to over 2 million children and youth in 20 countries in order to build their capacity to contribute to a sustainable future

In January 2023, ROTA’s Strategic Review highlighted climate change as a major challenge curtailing the successful achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals around the world.

As such, ROTA has revised its mandate to focus on ‘Education for Climate Action’ in order to support the integration of Climate Change Education in secondary schools; and, capacity building for refugee and community-based youth in Green Skills for Climate Action. In addition, ROTA considers it vitally important to develop young people’s green skills in order to prepare them for green jobs in the green economy.