The future of our climate impacts the future of the next generation.
In 2016, Zimbabwe endured the driest rainy season in 35 years, leaving nearly 2.8 million people without enough food. Families in Zimbabwe rely on their crops not just to eat, but to pay for their children’s education.1
15-year old student at St. Dominic’s Primary School in Chireya, Zimbabwe. “Climate change in Zimbabwe.” Elie Gardner, https://www.eliegardner.com/image/I0000C2HCEx_QWbs. Accessed 5 March 2023.
According to Alise Moyo, a project manager for Catholic Relief Services Zimbabwe, “There’s no food if there is a drought. If there’s no food, more children will stay home from school because it’s better to stay at home than to be in class when you are hungry.” This is especially true for Chireya St. Dominic’s Primary School as well as several other schools throughout the country.
A lack of food also has a significant psychological impact on children. The National Educational Association found that 80% of teachers see hungry students struggle to concentrate. Additionally, 76% see a drop-off in academic performance and 62% see behavioral problems develop.2
Map outlining global drought threats until 2039. “Future droughts will be shockers, study says.” NBC News, 19 October 2010, https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna39741525. Accessed 5 March 2023.
As shown by the map above, Africa is projected to experience significantly more droughts by 2039, along with the Western United States, India, and regions bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
This problem also extends into Southeast Asia, where climate change has destroyed infrastructure critical to education. In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines, destroying 90% of schools in the central municipality of Concepcion. The schools that were not destroyed were used as shelters for families who had lost their homes. Thousands of children in the area were without an education for nearly three months. As the threat of climate change continues to worsen and natural disasters become more frequent, children will likely experience more interruptions in their education.3
School destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. “Typhoon Haiyan: Six months on.” OCHA, 7 May 2014, https://www.unocha.org/es/story/typhoon-haiyan-six-months. Accessed 5 March 2023.
It is more important than ever to take action so we can mitigate the impact of climate change and ensure children their basic human right to education. There are many ways to help, including supporting the Union of Concerned Scientists. This organization was founded in 1969 by a group of students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who believed in fighting for a safer and healthier world through scientific innovation. To name other examples, Greenpeace is committed to saving the natural world from destruction and Makomborero works to relieve poverty in Zimbabwe through the education of disadvantaged children. The links to donate are listed below.
Works Cited
1 . “The Impact of Climate Change on Education: Pamhy's Story.” YouTube, 18 September 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bw99-Z6iUA. Accessed 5 March 2023.
2 . Litvinov, Amanda, et al. “Child hunger is exploding—and public schools can't fix it alone | NEA.” National Education Association, 1 January 2021, https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/child-hunger-exploding-and-public-schools-cant-fix-it-alone. Accessed 5 March 2023.
3 . Woellwarth, Charlotte. “Climate change is one of the biggest threats to education — and growing.” Concern Worldwide US, 3 August 2022, https://www.concernusa.org/story/education-and-climate-change/. Accessed 5 March 2023.
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