Young people suffering from ‘eco-anxiety’ as activists demand more education on climate change in schools | Climate News

There are more and more calls for schools to teach more about climate change.

Students say they feel “held back” by not knowing enough.

Some teachers describe the national curriculum as “limited” and want it expanded to include more climate emergency.

The Teach the Future student campaign group believes the topic should be mandatory for all annual groups.

Group coordinator Scarlett Westbrook says climate change has been “glossed over”.

She surveyed students and found that only 4% felt they knew enough about the climate crisis.

“We need knowledge to be able to cope with this post-climate world that we are going to enter, as we leave college and studies to enter the workforce,” said Scarlett.

Scarlett said a growing number of young people are suffering from “eco-anxiety” because their studies fail to address their concerns about the climate.

She and other activists regularly demonstrate around Birmingham to raise awareness.

“They only tell you the science behind it, they don’t tell you about the socio-economic consequences of it. And that just leaves us in the dark about the real practical problems of climate change,” said Adam Waters, 17 years.

Chloe Hawryluk, also 17, is doing geography A and still feels under-taught about climate change.

“I only know because I’m interested in it and I think everyone should know about it,” she said.

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At Cotham Gardens Primary School in Bristol, they dedicate six full days a year to teaching about climate change.

It is taught at age appropriately, but covers a wide range of topics.

For year 5, this includes a debate on the expansion of Bristol Airport.

Teacher Sam Williams would like the subject to be covered in more detail. “I think the current curriculum is limited … Obviously, if it’s in the national curriculum that you reach all the schools, you reach all …