This document discusses the effects of climate change on education. It notes that extreme weather from climate change can cause school closures and disruptions to studying. Natural disasters also disturb education systems by damaging school infrastructure. People suffering from problems caused by climate change like water shortages, droughts and displacement face difficulties concentrating on education. Climate change impacts mental health as well, causing issues like anxiety, depression and stress that make focusing on school challenging. The document ends by suggesting personal and policy actions to address climate change.

2. EDUCATION AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
BSc.Environmental Engineering
6th semester
Group 7

3. Outline
• Brief introduction to climate change and its
impacts
• How does it effect
education?
• What can we do?

4. What is climate change?
a change in global or regional climate
patterns, in particular a change apparent
from the mid to late 20th century onwards
and attributed largely to the increased levels
of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by
the use of fossil fuels.

5. Climate change

6. Various impacts of climate change

7. Effects of climate change on
education
Climate change effects the educational system in many ways :
 In extreme weather conditions
educational institutions are closed.
 In recent few years heat waves have resulted in prolonged
summer vacations in Pakistan which started earlier.
 Extremely cold and hot weather make it difficult to study
normally

8. Effects of climate change on
education

9. Natural disasters
Natural disasters resulting due to climate
change also disturb educational system
badly
For example:
 Droughts & floods
 Hurricanes & cyclones

10. Natural disasters
 Ice storms & frosts
 Forest and bush fires
 Other (Fog, smog, dust storms, haze, etc.)

11. Natural disasters

12. Effects of climate change
People suffering from following problems due to climate
change cannot concentrate on education properly
– Crop failure
– Water shortage
– Drought
– Loss of livelihood
– Forced migration/displacement and the loss of place
– Loss of property, pets, possessions

13. Effects of climate change

14. Mental Health, Climate Change and
Public Health
Mental health
a state of well-being
in which every individual
realizes his or her own
potential, can cope with
the normal stresses of life,
can work productively and
fruitfully, and is able to contribute
to his or her community

15. Mental Health, Climate Change and
Public Health
To take part in studies a person must be mentally
and physically normal
Problems created due to climate change may lead
to following problems
• Displacement can lead to grief, anxiety, loss
• Fractured social networks and community
connection

16. Mental Health, Climate Change and
Public Health
• Impact on receiving communities
– Real or perceived lack of resources such as support
services, housing, jobs, and natural resources
– Perceived competition for resources can contribute
to discrimination

17. Mental Health, Climate Change and
Public Health
 Emotional reactions to the awareness of climate
change include:
 Fear
 Sadness
 Depression
 Anxiety
 Helpless and hopeless
 Anger

18. Mental Health, Climate Change and
Public Health
• Case Study: Hurricane Katrina
– Many victims have experienced stress disorders
– Very high rates of suicide attempts (78.6 times higher
than baseline rate)
– High rates of suicide completion (14.7 times higher
than baseline rate)
– High rates of depression
– Domestic violence/child abuse

20. Our Future Depends on Our
Choices
Personal:
Reduce energy use
at home: heating, light
drive less, drive efficiently
As a consumer
support businesses that are energy conscious
Get political
Vote

21. Our Future Depends on Our
Choices
National and regional laws
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
WA voters: by 2020, 15% state power from
renewable energy
China’s goal: 2020, 16% renewable energy

23. Questions?

25. References
 http://www.who.int/
 http://www.who.int/globalchange/en/
 http://climate.umn.edu/seeley/
 http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/climatechang
 http://www.apa.org/science/resources/grand-cha