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A recent study involving 39 young people aged 16 to 34 reveals significant gaps in how climate change is taught in educational settings. The research, conducted by scholars from the University of Guelph and Brock University, highlights that current climate education often focuses narrowly on individual actions like recycling and carbon footprints, rather than addressing systemic issues related to climate change. Participants described classroom lessons as superficial, reduced to "carbon footprint" approaches that place personal responsibility on individuals instead of addressing fossil fuel industry influence and broader climate injustices. The study found that this approach contributes to feelings of helplessness, guilt, and emotional exhaustion among young people, leading many to avoid climate-related news or discussions. Instead, participants expressed a desire for climate education that acknowledges ecological grief as a reasonable response to social and political failures, incorporates community-based learning, and centers on collective action rather than individual blame. The research emphasizes the need for "grief-facing" climate education that creates structured opportunities for students to share their climate emotions without demanding a 'cure' for their difficult feelings. This approach would recognize climate emotions as appropriate responses to the crises young people face, situating current climate events within broader histories of colonialism and injustice. The study also notes that current educational approaches often ignore Indigenous worldviews, placing humans at the center rather than relationships with land, plants, and non-human animals. Participants stressed that climate education must be scientific but also attentive to emotion, approached as a shared social, ethical, and emotional challenge. The findings suggest that moving beyond carbon footprint education could lead to more meaningful engagement with climate change, fostering community connections and addressing the disproportionate impact of climate crises on marginalized communities.

Board member Frank Trinkle told the Natural Resources Board that multiple models forecast an unusually strong El Niño this winter and urged the board to accelerate homeowner education and preparedness materials for distribution during upcoming events.

Record which autumn colours you saw on your forest visit and help us tell the story of autumn across the nation.