The need for a reform of the education and training chain: educating for climate change and sustainability
The climate crisis we are experiencing is a reality we can no longer ignore. Torrid summers, flash floods and other extreme weather events are now the order of the day, showing that climate change is happening and requires an urgent response. In this context, educators and trainers are faced with an epochal challenge: to prepare new generations to live and act in a constantly changing world. Schools and the education system must therefore play a key role in education for sustainability, so that tomorrow’s citizens are able to understand and address climate and environmental challenges.
The urgency of change: responsibility and awareness
The climate crisis is not only a political or economic issue, but involves every single citizen. Each of us, with our daily choices, contributes to global pollution and the deterioration of natural resources. Food waste, excessive energy consumption and irresponsible use of raw materials are just a few examples of how individual actions have a significant impact on the environment. In this context, education assumes a transformative role: it is in schools, from childhood onwards, that we must begin to cultivate an ecological awareness and a culture of sustainability.
Technologies to reduce environmental impact and improve energy efficiency already exist, but without the appropriate knowledge, their application remains limited. Therefore, the education system must promote the development of technical and scientific skills that enable students not only to understand, but also to use these technologies for the collective good. This awareness-raising process must involve not only schools, but also families and communities, as the fight against climate change requires a collective effort.
The reasons for change: health, well-being and economic opportunities
The urgency of educational reform is not only about environmental responsibility, but also involves public health and economic well-being. Climate change, in fact, has devastating effects on human health, encouraging the outbreak of respiratory diseases, infections and other illnesses linked to extreme weather events, such as heat waves and floods. People’s health is closely linked to the quality of the environment in which they live, and education must integrate with this awareness, forming citizens aware of the risks and solutions to mitigate these effects.
In addition to health, the climate crisis has significant economic implications. Sectors such as agriculture, tourism and energy are highly vulnerable to climate change, while the transition to a more sustainable economy offers new opportunities for growth and employment. Education, therefore, must not only raise awareness of the risks, but also prepare young people for emerging career opportunities in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency and green technologies. This means investing in education that has a strong practical and innovation-oriented component, so that future workers are prepared to actively contribute to sustainable economic growth.
Training leaders for change
Climate change requires a collective and global response, and the failure of efforts to date shows that we can no longer put off taking the necessary action. Hope lies in the new generations, who must be trained not only as responsible citizens, but also as leaders capable of making informed and conscious decisions at the political, economic and technical levels. Schools, in this sense, are called upon to play a central role: they must not limit themselves to passing on notions, but must train individuals capable of thinking critically and working collectively to solve complex problems.
Cooperation and shared expertise are essential in this process. It is not enough to educate on sustainability through isolated practices such as separate waste collection or energy saving: it is necessary to create a culture of cooperation, in which every sector of society contributes to collective well-being. Schools must therefore promote an integrated approach that involves not only students, but also families, communities and local institutions, in order to develop a shared and widespread ecological awareness.
A strategic vision for the future: educating for sustainability
Today’s students will be tomorrow’s citizens and professionals. It is crucial that they are able to understand the consequences of their actions and are prepared to change their behaviour to reduce their environmental impact. This means that the education system must not only teach basics, but must encourage educational paths that promote sustainability and innovation. Students must learn to think critically, to look for efficient solutions and to develop new technologies capable of responding to climate challenges.
In this respect, public policies can play a crucial role. The education system must promote a deep understanding of policies that support sustainability, so as to prepare young people not only to live in a more sustainable world, but also to actively contribute to its construction. Collaboration between schools, local authorities and institutions can foster the development of educational projects that have a real impact on the territory, thus creating a virtuous circle between education, territorial governance and technological innovation.
Managing change: involving students and families
For the transition to sustainable education to be successful, it is crucial to actively involve students and families in the change process. Schools must create spaces for dialogue and collaboration, in which all actors in the education system are called upon to actively participate. This means involving students in the co-design of educational strategies and allowing families to play a key role in promoting sustainable behaviour also outside school. Teachers have the task of guiding this process, transferring to students not only the necessary technical knowledge, but also the deep motivation to undertake change. Education for sustainability must be seen not as an obligation, but as an opportunity to build a better and fairer world.
Removing obstacles: overcoming resistance to change
One of the main obstacles to change is the resistance of people, especially adults, to changing their habits. However, young people, especially children, are often more open and receptive to change. Teachers, especially in primary and secondary schools, need to be trained to effectively transmit the necessary skills, harnessing the natural curiosity of young people and stimulating their desire to make a difference.
There are already many good practices in various Italian schools and regions, where sustainability education has been successfully integrated into the curricula. It is essential to collect and disseminate these good experiences so that they can become models for other schools and teachers. Only by sharing good practices will it be possible to create a ‘momentum’ that will inspire the education system nationwide to embark on a path of reform.
Integrating the green-digital transition into education: the construction sector
A concrete example of how the transition to sustainability can be integrated into education concerns the construction sector. Digitalisation and sustainability are transforming this sector, with advanced technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the Internet of Things (IoT) offering new possibilities for improving energy efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of construction. Young people, who are already extensively digitised, are particularly predisposed to mastering these technologies, and it is therefore essential that schools prepare them adequately.
Training young people in digital and sustainable technologies will be crucial to transform the Italian construction sector into a sustainable growth engine. This will not only create new job opportunities, but also reduce the environmental impact of construction, thus contributing to a more sustainable future for all.
Conclusion: towards education for sustainability and change
Reform of the education and training chain is urgently needed. In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, climate and environmental challenges require informed and competent citizens, capable of making informed decisions and actively contributing to building a more sustainable society. Education must therefore become the engine of change, promoting a culture of sustainability and preparing young people to live and work in a world that increasingly demands green and digital skills.