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Description
In this project we deal with climate education and anti-smog education in schools. Every year more than 40,000 people in Poland die because of smog. The main problem faced by Poland is the emission of harmful gases and dust into the atmosphere caused mainly by using poor quality fuels in household furnaces and boiler houses. Another important issue is global warming, which is caused by greenhouse gas emissions. The accelerated rate of climate change has serious negative consequences, including severe weather events, reduced availability of water, extinction of species, and other socio-economic problems. The project aims to provide students and teachers from 16 schools in the Wielkopolska Region with knowledge about smog in Poland and climate change. Students will initiate positive changes in their homes and local community. Teachers will develop their knowledge, get acquainted with tools for educating about smog and climate change more effectively, and promoting active and aware citizenship. School buildings will be inspected for energy efficiency and environmentally friendly solutions. We will use the inspection data to develop recommendations.
Summary of project results
The project met the need for education in schools on climate change and smog, which receive too little attention in curricula.
The main goal of the project was to provide students and teachers from selected schools in Greater Poland with knowledge about smog in Poland and ongoing global climate changes. It was used in training for teachers, lessons for students and in activities activating students and teachers, which were intended to shape conscious and democratic civic attitudes. Additionally, the building was monitored in each facility in terms of air protection, energy efficiency, the possibility of using photovoltaics and rainwater retention. In effect reports from monitoring visits were prepared and delivered to schools along with recommendations (and energy audits), which will allow schools and communes to make efforts to implement the investments indicated in them.
The benefits of implementing the Project are various. Students inspired by participation in the project can initiate positive changes in their homes and in the local community. Teachers expanded their existing knowledge and received tips on how to effectively teach about smog and climate change at school and develop role models of active and conscious citizens in students. School buildings were examined for energy efficiency and environmentally friendly solutions. And local governments received an impulse and a signal of grass-roots support from local communities
issuing pro-climate and pro-environmental decisions.