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After Typhoon Haiyan: Smart Climate Change Education more important than ever
Three months after super typhoon Haiyan, possibly the strongest that ever hit land, UNESCO and SEAMEO INNOTECH will organize a Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development expert meeting for Asia and the Pacific from 10 to 12 February 2014 in Manila, Philippines. Almost 100 experts will develop recommendations to help education systems in the region prepare their children and citizens to address the impacts of climate change.
Climate change is loading the dice for extreme weather events like Haiyan. Unusually warm ocean waters and warm moist air are increasing the strength and rapid development of storms. Countries in Asia and the Pacific are already exposed to a prominent increase in the intensity and frequency of typhoons, rapidly accelerating desertification, floods and other hazards related to climate change. Climate change has become a threat to people’s livelihoods and security.
Smart education programmes can help countries in the region reduce the vulnerability of their communities. They help individuals to make informed decisions on how to adapt their lives and livelihoods to the effects of climate change.
During the meeting, representatives from ministries and non-governmental organizations, teacher educators and youth will exchange experiences and good practices in climate change education. The meeting will also help prepare the implementation of the Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), the follow up to the UN Decade of ESD (2005-2014).
