“Everything you can imagine is real.”
– Pablo Picasso

2 March: Join us for UNEA side event on Education for Nature

We are what we teach: 5 ways education can be re-wired for nature

When: 2 March 2022 at 18:30-19:30 EAT (GMT+3)
Where: Online – Register here!

This event will present 5 innovative ideas around formal and non-formal education for nature and will bring together universities, sport, the gaming industry and youth, as well as offer a unique discussion among education and environment ministers to build out a broader plan around education for nature.

The event will tackle the most challenging yet urgent topics to help realize the climate and nature secure future we need. Ideas will be shared around:

1. What do students want from their education? Youth to share their views around how curriculum in higher education needs to shift to adapt to the nature challenges we are facing;
2. How can universities play their part? Launching a new Nature Positive University network alongside the University of Oxford which will work to ensure the positive impact of supply chains and land use on biodiversity and nature;
3. What more can we do outside the classroom? Presenting plans around how to scale up action for nature through sport;
4. How can some of the biggest youth movements in the world take action on this? Sharing the Scouts’ new Earth Tribe platform which seeks to advance education for nature through a platform which brings all environmental badges into one space;
5. How can we make use of popular mediums such as video games to reach people where they are? The video gaming industry is scaling up action for nature through its games which reach approximately 2 billion players collectively.

This will then be followed by an exclusive discussion among government representatives to discuss what else can be done and how we can work better together on this agenda and bring it forward.

The session will seek to inspire participants by presenting different routes through which they can join the movement and act for change.

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Check out the website for more info about the 5th session of the UN Environment Assembly, which will take place online from 28 Feb – 2 March 2022.

How is UNEP helping education systems go green?

Check out this interview with Sam Barratt, Chief of Youth, Education and Advocacy at UNEP to hear more about how the engagement and participation of young people will be key in securing a climate secure, nature positive and pollution free planet.

Want to know more about what happened in 2021?

For a full overview of what happened in 2021, including updates on the Race to Zero, Playing for the Planet, the Little Book of Green Nudges and more, check out the full overview here.

Call for participation: Collaborate with ministries on climate education

Join us for a virtual event:
‘Connecting Higher Education and the Green Economy Community’

15 Feb 2022 at 8am EST – Virtual

All educators and researchers have a unique and important role to play in helping to create a sustainable future. With scientists having declared code red when it comes to climate change impacts, students need updated knowledge and skills for climate solutions and other environmental challenges in order to help shape a more sustainable economy. Each person in higher education has a contribution to make. In this interactive event, participants will receive insights from UNEP’s global guidance document on this topic with accompanying resources about how to improve curricula, internships, career guidance and job placements. Register here!

This event is brought to you by the International Association of Universities in partnership with UNEP-YEA’s Green Jobs initiative.  You are also invited to join the international community of educators, curricular decision makers and green economy employers supporting each other virtually on these issues.

Sign up for the Nature Positive Universities Initiative

UNEP and the University of Oxford are launching a global network of Nature Positive Universities in order to prompt the prioritization of nature and its restoration within the higher education sector; in their operations and supply chains, on campuses and within the cities where they operate. This network will form a major contribution to the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, the post-2020 Biodiversity Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals.

So far, over 300 expressions of interest from universities around the world have been submitted. Please complete this form if you are interested in joining this network!

Apply Now for the Keeling Curve Prize

The Global Warming Mitigation Project has opened the 2022 Keeling Curve Prize and projects could win $25,000 towards their carbon drawdown or emissions reduction initiative!

The team is looking for projects with a proven track record of reducing, avoiding, or eliminating greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Solutions will be awarded across five categories including: Carbon Sinks (Natural & Engineered), Energy, Finance, Social & Cultural Pathways, and Transport & Mobility. Two projects are awarded $25,000 in each category annually.

The application deadline is Thursday, 10th February! You can read the full details on the website. Reach out to [email protected] with any questions about the process.