Worldwide Climate and Justice Education Week is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness, fostering discussions, and equipping people with the knowledge needed to take action against climate change. This event brings together educators, students, activists, and policymakers to emphasize the importance of climate literacy. This year it takes place April 7-13.
The initiative began in 2019 and was first organized by Bard College's Graduate Programs in Sustainability as the Worldwide Teach-In. The last couple of years saw over 600 events in more than 70 countries. However, this program was not the first but built on the work of the early 2000s when environmental organizations and educators recognized the need for structured climate literacy programs.
Climate education goes beyond understanding the science of global warming. It empowers individuals and communities to make informed decisions, adopt sustainable practices, and advocate for policy changes. Additionally, climate change is a justice issue. It disproportionately impacts those least responsible, and addressing it requires reversing these injustices.
This year at Loras we will begin the week a bit early with the Climate Action Festival on Thursday, April 3 from 4-6pm in the Alumni Campus Center. The Climate Action Festival will host short informational sessions on the relationship between human health and climate, communicating and understanding science information, and the intersection of climate change and spirituality, as well as celebrating nature through dance and arts and crafts. Each session will be led by faculty, staff, and student volunteers. Additionally, there will be exhibits from student artists from the area colleges whose works explore these topics in various forms.
To learn more about climate change and sustainability, please visit our book display on the fourth floor.