Vandana Chavan, a Rajya Sabha MP from Pune, emphasizes that empowering children with knowledge and skills to address climate change is a fitting way to commemorate Children’s Day on November 14.
As India approaches its 66th Children’s Day, it’s a moment to reflect on how we can prepare our youth for a world where resources are rapidly diminishing, climate change is escalating, and the Earth is experiencing extreme heat. Children face a dual challenge: they will bear the severe consequences of decisions made before their time and engage in battles that could determine the future for generations. In this context, the most valuable gift we can provide them is knowledge and the tools necessary to confront the paramount challenge of our era—climate change.
As a passionate advocate for climate action, I launched the Climate Warriors program in Pune to equip children and youth with the knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm needed to become leaders and champions for climate action. However, addressing climate change is a collective effort.
Sustained climate literacy demands a network of dedicated educators who work with both students and youth toward a sustainable future. To achieve this, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of a nationwide Climate Educator’s Network (CEN) on Children’s Day.
The CEN will consist of committed educators, mentors, and communicators who will guide and inspire teachers to support young minds in comprehending and addressing climate change. This network acknowledges that education must undergo a radical transformation to remain a powerful means for the betterment of our societies and the planet.
Educators who embark on the journey of facilitating climate education must adapt and learn to transform anxiety and helplessness into constructive optimism and agency. They must foster creative and integrative thinking and navigate the changing landscape of social and environmental dynamics to effectively impart these skills to their students.
Conventional teaching methods oriented toward individual success will no longer suffice for teaching about climate change. Therefore, these educators will need unorthodox and transformative learning experiences to shed their entrenched learning and teaching patterns.
The mission of CEN, which caters to educators, is to facilitate the development of climate educators and programs, positioning them at the core of shaping the minds that will determine the planet’s future. A nationwide network will encourage the sharing of best practices and innovative teaching methods. It will comprise dedicated individuals who receive the proper training to educate future generations.
Our climate action journey began in 2007 with engagements in the corporate sector, communities, and colleges. Drawing from these experiences, the Climate Warriors program was initiated last year as a grassroots movement, involving local schools, colleges, and communities. While youth brought creativity and idealism, educators were the key to elevating the scientific and social significance of the program. Together, they became a powerful force for positive change.
Schools in Pune enthusiastically embraced the program. Students delved into the intricacies of climate change in theory and ventured into practical solutions to enhance their immediate environment. Over the past year, thousands of students transformed into Climate Champions and established ‘School Climate Councils’ in their institutions. This commitment from schools prompted the program to expand into city colleges, with young leaders stimulating debates, discussions, and innovative thinking about climate change solutions.
Bolstered by this success, we are now ready to expand the Climate Warriors program to every corner of our great nation and recognize ‘Climate Buddies’ in various colleges. The urgency of the climate crisis is undeniable, and to mitigate its impacts, our efforts must transcend geographical boundaries.
