On March 19, 2024, Dr. Sylwia Spurek, Member of the European Parliament, together with dozens of representatives of civil society organizations and the scientific community, sent an appeal to the Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka for the introduction of necessary changes to the core curriculum on ecology, climate and animal rights.

Today, understanding the relationship between human actions and climate change is crucial for the future of the planet. Therefore, climate, environmental and animal-rights education should be an integral part of the curricula so that young people can make informed decisions that affect the environment.

In particular, the appeal highlights the consequences of the agricultural industry. Given that some 25-30% of greenhouse gas emissions come from this sector, it is necessary to raise awareness of the consequences of its operation and promote healthy and ethical food. Unfortunately, at present this topic is often overlooked, despite growing public awareness in other areas such as transportation and energy.

MP Dr. Sylwia Spurek said:

„I am counting on Minister Barbara Nowacka to introduce progressive changes in the Polish education system. We are standing on the threshold of a climate catastrophe. There is more and more talk about transportation and energy reform, while agricultural reform is a taboo subject. It will not be possible to effectively address this topic without wise and modern education and making young people aware of how the livestock sector affects every aspect of our lives, including – causing climate change.”

Morgan Janowicz, Green REV Institute:

„Today we’re talking more and more about education, and it’s time for education to be inclusive, intersectional, empathetic, and to put social competence, environmental and climate responsibility, and concern for all the Earth’s inhabitants and residents at the center of its activities. It’s time for every student to know the facts about non-human animals, to receive a solid dose of knowledge in the area of the inefficient, non-functioning food system. It’s time for us to be educated and educated to be sensitive advocates and spokespersons for all animals.”

Currently, elements of climate science appear sporadically in nature, biology and geography classes, and broader environmental education is usually only available as an extension in geography. There is a general lack of pro-environmental curricular assumptions in kindergartens. The current core curriculum inadequately meets modern needs, failing to meet any of the basic requirements for environmental education or animal rights. Therefore, urgent action is needed to change this state of affairs and ensure that environmental education becomes one of the priorities in the educational system.

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Credit: European Parliament