Environmental education for children

In the context of climate change or environmental issues, Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries because of its low-lying lands and geographical location. In the coastal areas people are trying to adapt their lifestyle while keeping in mind how frequently the extreme weather events are occurring.

However, most of the people, especially the children, in Bangladesh are not aware of climate change risks.

In order to cope with climate change effects and extreme weather events, children should be taught about the weather and how to cope with changes in it along with environmental pollution. As children are not taught how to survive when facing natural disasters, this can be a threat for them in the future.

School-goers should be taught practically about climate change, global warming, natural disasters, risk management, adaptation, mitigation etc. They can be taught how important it is that they clean their surroundings, avoid single-use plastic materials, prevent electricity and water wastage, plant more trees etc.

These lessons should be included in the national curriculum and taught in the private schools and madrassahs. Above all, the government should take this idea of environmental education for children seriously. They should take immediate steps.

Md Ariful Islam

Department of Sociology

University of Barishal

[email protected]