Climate in Education Snapshot – Here is the link to the DfE’s April snapshot. There are details of: A Rounder Sense of Purpose, Walk to School Week, Nature Park webinars, an outdoor learning approach to teaching climate and sustainability in primary schools, boosting Birmingham’s biodiversity through the Nature Park, and Sustainability Learning. There is no news of the fabled Natural History GCSE.
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Do Whales Sneeze? – In the first episode of The Conversation’s Curious Kids podcast, where youngsters can get answers directly from experts, ten-year-old Guy from Sydney wanted to know if whales sneeze. He joined host Eloise Stevens to ask Vanessa Pirotta, a wildlife scientist at Macquarie University, who is an expert in such things. You can listen here.
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Green Muscle Memory – In a new report, Earthday.org argues that climate education is a critically important part of getting students ready to navigate a rapidly changing world.
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Healthy Planet Healthy People – A new resource pack from Eco-Schools: The Healthy Summer Toolkit, which was developed in partnership with the Bupa Foundation, offers eight activities that promote student wellbeing, environmental action, and a connection with the natural world. Adam Flint, National Manager for Eco-Schools England said: “From the air we breathe to the food we eat, a healthy environment is crucial for our health. Eco-Schools says that its eight activities will:
- Empower students to navigate eco-anxiety and develop healthy strategies to cope with environmental concerns.
- Ignite their passion for climate action by exploring how everyday choices can create positive change.
- Inspire them to become nature stewards through collective action that supports biodiversity and fosters a connection with the natural world.
- Promote healthy habits and environmental wellbeing by encouraging physical outdoor activities.
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International Mindedness – The next DERC webinar, on May 29th (16:00), will see Elisabeth Barratt Hacking (Head of the Department of Education at the University of Bath) critique the International Baccalaureate’s concept of ‘International Mindedness,’ one of many contemporary forms of global education. You can find out more and register here.
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Climate Advocacy – Cornell University’s Civic Ecology Lab invites you to join its 4-week international online course on Climate Advocacy: Making Policy Change starting on May 20th and going on to June 14th. It’s for educators, university and high students, community leaders, and volunteers. There are asynchronous lectures, readings, assignments, and live webinars. And there’s a Cornell University certificate. Click here to learn more & register.
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Long-term Planning – As you know, the FED – the Foundation for Education Development – argues that England needs a shared, long-term plan to guide the education system for the benefit of all learners, the economy and society, which should be overseen by an independent body, and informed by a broad range of stakeholders. It is asking us all to say what the next Secretary of State for Education should prioritise by completing this brief survey.
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Kids.Earth.Org – Are you young? Have you got something you want to say about the environment or a story about where you live? If so, you can submit your drawing, poster, or article here. It can be text or an image.
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Teacher Appreciation Week – This is an American idea but might just catch on over here. It runs from May 6th to May 10th this year, and Teacher Appreciation Day is on May 7th . It all began in 1984, and there’s more detail here:
- History of Teacher Appreciation Week
- What Do Teachers Really Want for Teacher Appreciation Week?
- 20 Celebration Ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week 2024
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Violating Rights? – Reuters reports that a USA appeals court dismissed a lawsuit filed by 21 young people claiming the US government’s energy policies violate their rights to be protected from climate change. A three-judge panel of the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals said in a five-page order confirmed that the courts could not mandate broad policy changes which are the remit of Congress and the Executive.
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Earth.Radio – This is a community-driven global radio station that brings news, insights, and stories on the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges and solutions. Following the model of Earth.Org, it is looking for presenters to host radio & podcast pilot series, podcast editors as well as programme directors. If you’re interested in getting involved, send a CV to radio@earth.org
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Conservation Actions – Joseph William Bull, University of Oxford, and Jake E. Bicknell, University of Kent, report in The Conversation that two-thirds of conservation actions studied were found to benefit ecosystems and species. See: Nature conservation works, and we’re getting better at it.
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Goldman Prize – The winners of the annual Goldman Prize for grassroots environmental champions have been announced. They include: the woman who helped save Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon; an indigenous Australian activist who blocked the development of a coal mine on a vital nature reserve; and two men who successfully fought against seismic testing for oil and gas off South Africa’s Eastern Cape. You can see the full list of winners here.
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It’s not just Morris Dancing – The United Kingdom agreed to ratify the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) at an event attended by Minister for Arts and Heritage Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. The Convention will be used to develop an inventory of ICH which will include “traditional craftsmanship, oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices related to nature and the universe.” The ratification will become effective on June 7th .