What is climate change? What is climate change

adaptation? What activities can be

done in integrating climate change adaptation in your respective lessons?

Division Seminar on Integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the

Curriculum

By: Dr. Alice I. TerrellSchools Division Superintendent

DepEd-Albay Division

Division Seminar on Integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the

Curriculum

Climate change is a long-term change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods of time that range from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in the average weather conditions or a change in the distribution of weather events with respect to an average, for example, greater or fewer extreme weather events. Climate change may be limited to a specific region, or may occur across the whole Earth.

Division Seminar on Integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the

Curriculum

In recent usage, especially in the context of environmental policy, climate change usually refers to changes in modern climate. It may be qualified as anthropogenic climate change, more generally known as global warming or anthropogenic global warming (AGW).

Division Seminar on Integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the

Curriculum

Adaptation to global warming and climate change is a response to climate change that seeks to reduce the vulnerability of natural and human systems to climate change effects. Even if emissions are stabilized relatively soon, climate change and its effects will last many years, and adaptation will be necessary. Climate change adaptation is especially important in developing countries since those countries are predicted to bear the brunt of the effects of climate change.

Division Seminar on Integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the

Curriculum

Integrating climate change adaptation into a traditional curriculum requires hard work and an administrator that is willing to support and empower staff to challenge themselves and their students.  You can make the case for climate change adaptation to the both internal and external stakeholders in your school by demonstrating the importance of environmental literacy including climate change adaptation, and the academic benefits of an environmentally-oriented curriculum.

Division Seminar on Integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the

Curriculum

Environmental literacy in students goes beyond simple classroom discussions on global climate change or limited recycling efforts. Today’s students will face many environment-related challenges as they grow into tomorrow’s leaders.

Division Seminar on Integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the

Curriculum

Waste disposal, water allocation and quality, adapting to climate change, genetic engineering of food, energy consumption, and species preservation and diversity are just a few of the issues that will define our future. Citizens will need environmental literacy to make informed decisions based on analysis of available science and the impacts of viable alternatives.

Division Seminar on Integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the

Curriculum

Providing opportunities for students to explore topics of interest to them across disciplines through environmental education produces exciting results. With an effective environmental education program, students benefit from:

Division Seminar on Integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the

Curriculum

Topics that engage them and foster enthusiasm for learning;

Fewer discipline and classroom management problems;

Better performance on standardized tests; Real-world application of classroom learning; Higher retention of knowledge and skills; and Increased teacher morale and enthusiasm.

Division Seminar on Integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the

Curriculum

Instructionally valid learning such as smaller learning communities with personal instruction, appropriate use of technology, varied and engaging instruction, in-depth topic study, and ongoing evaluation;

Real-world application of learning through field work;

Exploration of issues and opportunities for students to make choices based on their findings;

Division Seminar on Integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the

Curriculum

Place-based learning; Integration of disciplines rather than a

pure science-content approach; Professional training for educators; and Meeting curricular goals and benchmarks

through the instruction.

Division Seminar on Integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the

Curriculum

Environmental education emphasizes cooperative learning, critical thinking and discussion, hands-on activities, and real-world application. Students who study environmental education develop and practice skills like:

Division Seminar on Integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the

Curriculum

Working in teams;  Listening to and accepting diverse

opinions; Solving real-world problems;  Taking the long-term view; Promoting actions that serve the larger

good; Connecting with the community; and Making a difference in the world.

Division Seminar on Integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the

Curriculum

Students who fail in traditional school settings often succeed when the natural outdoor environment becomes their classroom. With environmental education, students who learn best by doing can be as successful as students who learn best through lectures and books. Hands-on experiences motivate students to learn and pay off in better test scores, better social skills, and increased parental involvement.

Division Seminar on Integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the

Curriculum

http://www.classroomearth.org/node/254 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Climate_change_adaptation http://www.classroomearth.org/node/282

Division Seminar on Integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the

Curriculum