UK announces new GCSE dedicated to combating climate change ahead of Earth Day 2022

The UK government has launched its Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, promising to be “world leaders in climate change”.

Its new strategy will give secondary school students the chance to study the natural world through a new GCSE.

The Natural History qualification will enable students to learn about the natural world, including sustainability and environmental issues.

Additionally, the course will introduce pupils to new careers in the natural world such as observation, conservation, and analysis.

Moreover, the government’s new strategy, launched the day before Earth Day 2022, aims to ‘deepen knowledge’ of our planet in young people and communities.

GCSE students will be able to study the Natural History course by September 2025.

Climate change education in the UK

In addition to the new Natural History qualification, the government has also confirmed its plans to accelerate the rollout of carbon literacy training in public schools, colleges and universities.

This training will support settings to develop climate action plans such as introducing measures to protect them against the effects of climate change and climate education.

In a statement, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: “We are delivering a better, safer, greener world for future generations and education is one of our key weapons in the fight against climate change.

“It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that young people are already very committed to a more sustainable planet. We should be proud of this, and I want to do everything I can to encourage this passion.”

Furthermore, Zahawi highlighted that the new Natural History GCSE will offer young people to develop their knowledge of our planet and how we can conserve it.

Earth Day 2022

Earth Day continues to be a celebrated event that brings people across the world together to fight for climate justice.

While the threat of climate change can leave us feeling helpless, there are simple things we can all do to make a big difference.

From reducing our food waste to shopping sustainably where possible, there are plenty of sustainable solutions to help us live sustainably.

In addition, switching to a plant-based diet is one of the best ways we can each tackle climate change.

By reducing our reliance on meat and dairy, we can invest in ethical and sustainable means of food production and leave intensive farming in the past.

Want to take your climate activism beyond Earth Day?
Here are 10 simple steps you can do to reduce your carbon footprint

Source: Gov UK
Feature image source: Ariel Skelley via Getty Images