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Climate change and
education in Fiji
Tiina Jaatinen
University of Oulu,
Finland
OECD:
Environmental challenges as one global trend affecting education
”this is a part of the future world that young people will grow up in, and in some locations the impact on educational infrastructure will be very direct.
Education plays a key role in shaping the attitudes that can make a difference, while some practices linked to schooling are part of the problem.”
OECD:
Global warming increases risks for schools in e.g. low lying areas
How should such risks be addressed
by international policy?
By teachers and students affected?
UNU:
Knowledge and expertise about adaptation at the international level
Higher education bridging
gap
Grassroot level knowledge about adaptation in the developing world
UNU:
”The Role of Higher Education in Adapting to Climate Chane” conferences in Asia-Pacific for universities, research org., international org. and intergovernmental org.
A regional network to provide comprehensive postgraduate educational programme
Brainstorm of innovative ideas for a regional curricula, joint research projects, resourse sharing and future action plans
Climate change, adaptation and
role of education in Fijian unpublished study by Tiina Jaatinen
• Educators’ conceptions in the frontline
• Data: 8 interviews + additional data from Ministry of Environment and secondary informants
• Conducted in June 2010
• Phenomenography as a method of analysis
Climate change impacts
by interviewees
Physical• Floods, storms, tsunami warnings, soil erosion, coral bleaching, heat,
a change in seasons, reduction of biodiversity, coastal erosion and sea level rise
Psychological• Fear, stress, confusion, concern, determination
Cultural• Loss of connection to land - loss of culture
• ”quick-fix” culture and relaxed way of life contributing to climate changes
resource scarcity affects families and provokes criminality
Human impact: deforestation, industrialism, excessive agriculture, materialism and greediness
Climate change impacts by IPCC 2007 on small islands
especially vulnerable to effects of climate change• Limited size, proneness to natural hazards, low adaptive
capacity
Sea level rise -> floods, storm surges, erosion, coastal hazards • threaten infrastructure, settlements and facilities along the
coast
• >50 % population and infrastructure on shore (airports, roads, cities)
• reduction in island size OR resilience
Climate change impacts by IPCC 2007 on small islands
Water resources: reduced rainfall in summer, increased rainfall in winter
Coral reefs, fisheries and marine based resources affected
Subsistence and commercial agriculture
Non-indigenous invasive species
Adaptation responses of forests
Tourism
Human health
Adaptation by interviewees
Capacity to cope with occurring changes and a shared responsibility• traditional ways of living, protection of biodiversity,
resource management, longlasting process, sustainable culture
Program for adaptation
Through encouragement not threatening
Migration: inland and overseas
Role of education important
Modification of value system
Adaptation by UNU
How we adapt and the solutions we create to overcome climate change impacts must be
• Developed locally
• Supported by regional and global knowledge and expertise
Local capacity development is essential
Role of Education
”Bring awareness”
• Workshops
• Environment week
• School assemblies
• Guest speakers
• Training programme for teachers
• Experiential methods and arts in education
Role of Education
”Take initiative”
• Adopt a Habitat & Eco camps Läje Rotuma Initiative
• Green school campus Educational Foundation for Children in Fiji
• Environment committees
• Network for teachers Live and Learn
• Community consultation workshops
Role of Education
”Make it nationwide”• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Environment
• Ministry of Fijian Affairs and Provincial Development
• Ministry of Health
• Integrated approach program for rural development for NGOs and the government
BUT
• Village based activity
• Local problems - local solutions
• Training on basic scientific research
Role of Education
”Develop curriculum”
• Environmental education a subject
OR
a cross-curricula theme?
• Regional curriculum in Pacific?
- medium of instruction English
Role of Education
”Develop resources and skills”
• Boarding facilities in schools
• Educational material on environment
• English
• Facilitation skills
• Lifeskills (teamwork, coordination, public speaking, creativity)
Valuesystem modification
NEW KNOWLEDGE
OPINIONS
ATTITUDES
VALUES
BEHAVIOUR AND DECISIONS
References
OECD: http://puck.sourceoecd.org/vl=6465427/cl=13/nw=1/rpsv/trendsshapingeducation2008/index.htm
UNU: http://update.unuhq.info/2009/06/30/the-role-of-education-
in-adaptation
IPCC: Mimura, N., L. Nurse, R.F. McLean, J. agard, L.
Briguglio, P. Lefale, R. Payet and G. sem, 2007: Small islands. Climate change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working group II to the Fourth Assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson, eds., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 687-716.
References:
Palviainen, S. 2004. Uusi sopimuksellisuus ympäristöpolitiikan välineenä.
Joensuun yliopiston yhteiskuntatieteellisiä julkaisuja no 70. Viewed from:
http://epublications.uef.fi/pub/urn_isbn_952-458-507-3/urn_isbn_952-458-507-3.pdf