Developing a curriculum that addresses the urgent need for climate change education is critical in empowering young people to engage with global issues. Two projects, "You and CO2" and "The Life Cycle of My Clothes," were designed to encourage students, from primary to secondary school age, to understand the impact of their choices and actions on the environment and to commit to behaviour changes that reduce their carbon footprint.
"You and CO2" uses bilingual interactive narrative and digital activities to engage students aged 12 to 15, empowering them to engage with and act on the climate crisis and not just learn about it. The program specifically illustrates the correlation between everyday human activities and CO2 emissions, inspiring students to make more environmentally friendly choices.
"The Life Cycle of My Clothes" is a bilingual cross-curricular unit of work co-created by primary school teachers and researchers at Swansea University. It focuses on sustainability and fast fashion, allowing pupils to explore their roles as citizens of Wales and the world and understand how small changes in their daily habits can positively impact their wellbeing and the global environment.
These projects foster awareness and commitment to sustainability among young people, contributing to the effort to combat climate change. By contextualizing global problems in a local and personal perspective, these projects promote informed action and responsible citizenship as required in the context of the Curriculum for Wales and beyond.
