Educational change to demographic drivers 2019-2020 by Alison Fox

SOUTH KOREA

alison_fox1 — 2019-08-07 12:31:31 UTC

This country now has the lowest birth rates in the world https://www.economist.com/asia/2018/06/30/south-koreas-fertility-rate-is-the-lowest-in-the-world
This is affecting the need for schools, with many schools closing, and an increasingly aging population which it is feared will limit future economic growth and see high care costs for the elderly. What are the solutions? Education which leads to an increase in the birth rates? Education which leads to creative ways to work and live within an aging population?

UK

alison_fox1 — 2019-08-07 12:31:49 UTC

The changing age profile combined with the changing needs and expectations of the workplace is a long term demographic problem of which there is some awareness, but little apparent educational response.

Children born this year will have an expected lifespan of around 79 to 83 years.

This means under the current system, their expected employment life will be from around 2040 (age 22, assuming at least some tertiary education) to at least 2085 (age 67, assuming the current retirement age does not increase, which seems unlikely).

It is difficult to predict the nature of the changes that will occur in the lifespan of these children, but somehow education must prepare them for this life. This demographic change means that education must work to create not just lifelong learners, but ones who are adaptable and flexible.

Australia a))

alison_fox1 — 2019-08-07 12:32:27 UTC

Given the future demographic predictions it is imperative education institutes from primary through to tertiary prepare students to be analytical problem solvers and view human life and the worlds' environment in a holistic nature. Our country is in drought with farmers and primary producers suffering now.More facilities and resources which allow students to explore ideas and investigations. There does need to be a greater integration of industry and community programs into curriculums to stimulate this process and also collaboration to investigate more sustainable alternatives. The Australian government needs to follow through with policy change and mandates on lowering omissions to support education pathways

Thailand

alison_fox1 — 2019-08-07 12:32:52 UTC

In 2011, Thailand became an upper-middle-income economy. With average income now at $5,640, Thailand is facing slow economic growth, a loss of competitive edge, and high levels of economic inequality. Addressing these issues sits at the heart of the present government’s social and economic development plan and the Thailand 4.0 goal announced last year. Both place emphasis on technology and innovation, transport infrastructure upgrades, and human resources improvements through education reform.A law passed recently even raises penalties for non-conforming employers, aggravating labor scarcity. The laws make it very difficult for legal migrants to seek permanent residency which will allow their children, born in the country, to become Thai citizens. The quota for each nationality to obtain permanent residency is limited to 100 per year. Also, the Thai people are still not very open to foreign immigration.

A sufficient workforce and demographic balance are crucial to the social and economic advancement of the country. Without these, Thailand cannot achieve its goals. Tackling these problems is an urgent matter but requires long-term and creative plans.

The Netherlands, option B

2019-08-25 17:08:58 UTC

1. Make learners aware of their responsibility towards the Earth, leaving only a small footprint.

2. Make learners aware of their responsibility towards the whole human kind.

3. Teach less gender-confirming, giving girls the opportunity to have the same perspectives as boys.

4. Teach creative solutions and innovations so that in the future learners are encouraged to solve issues and problems.

2019-08-27 19:08:03 UTC

England
1. There is a need to teach children and young people that they can have an impact on protecting the environment .

United States

2019-08-27 22:29:31 UTC

It was eye opening to realize that first world countries are the biggest carbon footprint. I guess I assumed that countries with heavy pollution problems, such as Mexico and Brazil, would be bigger. We need to take responsibility for our lifestyles

UK - climate change

2019-08-29 15:08:25 UTC

climate change has been introduced to the US curriculum. yet it has been spoken about removing it from the UK's curriculum. Why is this when we should be equipping future generations with skills needed to combat it?

UK

2019-08-29 21:47:31 UTC

I think that the population growth could be supported if it is inevitable but we need to educate our children and our communities about efficient use of goods but in hand with this our governments need to support this. Recently a scandal had recyclable material from london being shipped to huge rubbish piles overseas so effectively just shifting the problem elsewhere. This is defeating the point of education about environment in one sense. As information becomes so instantly available children are more clued up than generations before and can see through insincere or ineffective environmental action. We need to ensure that each person is aware of what they can do to sustain the planet and to make a positive impact on it.

Peru

2019-08-30 18:38:09 UTC

1)Most of the population growing number is between 15 to 30 years old, so we have a very competitive market in labor field.
2) The capital Lima is overpopulated due to the fact of lack of education in cities in highland and jungle.
3)We have the lowest invesment in Education in comparison with other countries in South America despite the fact we have grown economically fast during the last 10 years.

UK

2019-09-04 10:04:32 UTC

As populations grow, both in response to both increased birthrate and migration. It is vitally important to educate the community in sustainable practices. This Learning needs to be implemented not only in the classroom but also in the wider society. I think there is currently a social drive both by policymakers and individual towards a more sustainable society.
However, there are barriers to this:
The introduction of biodegradable and compostable single-use plastic bags, although on the surface seems like a significant step forward industry must ensure that these products meet the public expectations as well as there being sufficient education about the process of recycling waste property to avoid this waste going to landfill.
The current products have been showed to not live up to these expectations.
The best way to drive sustainability is to reduce plastic in packaging rather than the recycling of this waste.

UK

2019-09-06 03:46:33 UTC

Education needs to focus on the message that we, as individuals, need to conform to a particular way of life [frugal spending + having a positive environmental impact] for the benefit of all of us (present and future) living sustainably on Earth. Therefore, it is paramount that children learn how they need to live and why. Obviously, the way people actually live is variable, so needs relevant to your local environment (urban, rural, island, etc.) would be prioritised but all of them would be learnt.

UK

2019-09-07 14:37:59 UTC

Key issues could be
Space/places in schools - if population expands and new schools are not built there will not be enough spaces.
life span expectations - teachers will be expected to educate for longer.
Changes in curriculum will need to happen to ensure that children have an understanding of issues such as environmental, sustainability, interest and understanding of what is needed for global survival/habitat and climate change

Italy

capireilcane — 2019-09-09 09:42:31 UTC

1) each student independently from gender and background, should be placed in the best possible position in order to follow through studies in the country of residence by reducing language and cultural barriers
2) social and environmental responsibilities must be made clear from the early stages of education (pre-school) and kept strong during the whole study period
3) technological tools must be provided to students within the school environment in order to prepare children to use them not only for fun but as a powerful learning tool
4) ecology, new environmentally friendly technology and an open mind to cultural differences and development possibilities must be cultivated in school in order to offer to the adults of the future the power of an open mind

a) Global -

2019-09-10 03:32:37 UTC

We need to pursue scientific investigation and development. Without a push for education systems to create new solutions for our World's problems, the environment will continue to suffer and our issues will compound.

We need to educate as many students as possible about climate change and shift our educational systems to produce more scientists/designers/engineers etc to solve our environmental mess.

Glo

2019-09-10 10:57:54 UTC

Global - Food Supply

2019-09-10 10:57:54 UTC

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/jan/28/can-we-ditch-intensive-farming-and-still-feed-the-world

Given the expected rise of the global population from 7 billion to around 10 billion, the supply of food for all the people on the planet will become an issue that needs to be solved. As a society, we need to find a more sustainable way to feed the people on our planet, without destroying the biodiversity which we rely on to survive.

The educational system could work towards the teaching of how we preserve our biodiversity as well as teaching children the thinking skills and allowing them to make mistakes in order to develop new techniques which can feed everyone on the planet.

2019-09-11 15:02:42 UTC

I agree with everyone. Education has changed a lot during these years and

UK

2019-09-12 01:08:53 UTC

Teach responsibility for our lifestyles and understand the impact that our personal choices have on a global scale. The water usage needed to create one pair of fashionable jeans, or the deforestation required for the fast food burger’s cattle and soybeans. We cannot point the blame at the factories manufacturing goods that we demand. Try to experience the footprint of a lower income country to understand the disproportionate distribution of wealth that we seem to ignore; be that classroom supplies, use of energy, food usage. With this in mind get students to actively think about what changes they could make as an individual and try to implement them. We need to teach that we all can have an impact, positively or negatively, on the global environment and society that can be enhanced by power in numbers.

Israe

2019-09-15 08:41:42 UTC

Israel

2019-09-15 08:41:42 UTC

Option a

Based on the article it seems to me that education needs to concern itself with reducing consumerism.
From the earliest age education needs to teach about the dangers of over-using the earth's resources and how we are all responsible for them.

UK

2019-09-15 12:00:54 UTC

It seems that for long term prosperity, education needs to develop in order to educate generations on how to live sustainably and STEM in the sense that we need to have skilled technicians to develop new technologies to aid that sustainability. Ultimately, education needs to provide opportunity for the next Elon Musk to appear, to take over from where he finishes!!!!!

2019-09-18 16:26:46 UTC

UK - part a
Very simply, educators can teach students (both from affluent and developing countries) how and why to live a low-consumption lifestyle. If people are taught this consistently and early enough, we could hope to make a difference.

UK

2019-09-19 12:06:20 UTC

I have to agree with the articles solutions, reducing consumption, making lifestyles low carbon, and giving woman the ability to control unwanted pregnancies will help with demographic change. We need to be educating our children to look after the planet making long lasting changes so the plant is able to provide for the growing world we live in.

UK

ensermark — 2019-09-19 13:42:16 UTC

As we enter stage 5 of the DTM we will encounter challenges with an aging population. This is already being seen with the ongoing increases to the retirement age - including of that for teachers.
There are potential solutions that could come from the education system including the teaching of pro-natalist material however this would conflict with the need for more sustainable education and for anti-natalist policies.

UK

lgoss4 — 2019-09-20 21:37:38 UTC

In the UK we are clearly a nation of consumers and therefore a key consideration should be to think about how we can educate our population to think about the global impact of their 'consumption'. How can we encourage our population to consume less and think responsibly about their consumption?

UK

dsking444 — 2019-09-21 13:41:05 UTC

Teaching the next generation in the UK how to look after the planet and recycle materials is likely to have an impact upon saving the planet and ensuring mankind has the resources needed for survival. However, more is needed. According to statistical data, 90% of people have access to the internet in their homes (Ofcom Making communications Work for Everyone viewed 21^st September 2019, https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/117256/CMR-2018-narrative-report.pdf). Many of these households have access to a variety of gaming consoles, laptops and i-pads for instance, however it has to be questioned whether people need all these gadgets or if they could manage with one or two. Therefore the next generation needs to be taught the difference between what is a luxury and what is essential. “Ensure you have the right product before you buy” should be the moto adopted. Adapting what you already have to perform a new function is another useful skill which should be taught.

As well as teaching them these skills, it is also worth considering how to overcome difficulties in both friendships and relationships together with the importance of communication. When a couple separate, two homes are needed instead of one, which reduces the finite housing and land resources. According to the Office for National Statistics (viewed on 21 September 2019, https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/divorce), "There were 101,669 divorces of opposite-sex couples in England and Wales in 2017.

UK

2019-09-25 14:59:15 UTC

It is vital that educational establishments take a leading role in promoting and practicing environmentally friendly methods of living. We need to teach children about living with a low carbon footprint and give them strategies in order to do this successfully. There needs to be a fundamental change in the core values of education policies set by the government to include sustainable living and societal well-being. The current children are the biggest players in changing the future of our planet.

UK

2019-09-25 15:32:09 UTC

In the UK it is important to teach children how to be thoughtful and sustainable consumers.
This could be done by teaching the result of a high number of consumers and develop ideas that could reduce this.
Recently, many schools have tackled the issue of plastic which many children have shown to understand and as a result aim to use less.
This shows that children do care and will reduce their carbon footprint if taught how.

2019-09-25 22:20:57 UTC

Ecuador
This country has in its cultural background a deep love for nature which has been usually related to indigenous people. Discrimination has caused this and other values of the ancient people to be forgotten or considered less important. Education should focus on reintegrating all this rich patrimony into the regular curriculum as a way to cope with racism.

UK

2019-09-28 13:44:35 UTC

An important role for the education system to do is to teach the children about consumption.
To educate them on what they use and how we need to be more green (recycle, walk more, re-use, stop wastage).
Teach them to be creative in their usage of items, to teach them the impacts and consequences on the world.
Ideally schools would try to instil responsibility and accountability to children. How they impact the world.

Channel Islands

2019-09-28 16:39:59 UTC

Living in a restricted space where a lot of produce and commodities are shipped or flown in raises a certain awareness of consumerism. During periods of bad weather where the boats cannot dock, there are empty shelves in many supermarkets. Education has a role in understanding what it means to be a sensible consumer - where can we support local businesses more and how do we balance that with the need to ship in goods that are just not available locally?

UK

2019-09-30 19:42:36 UTC

Everyone wants to live above and beyond their means. Education in schools can only go so far, parents ultimately are the role-models for their children. Teachers can teach all they want about living sustainably but if parents are happy to furnish each child with their own games console and the latest iphone and subscribe to the throwaway nature of the fashion industry then teachers words will likely fall on deaf ears. Parents do not know any better - who wouldn't like to give their child a better life than they had at the same age? Who wants their kid to miss out when everyone else does it?

One way that education could improve is by overhauling the qualifications system and the curriculum that largely ignore the pressing situations of today and focus entirely on generating the future global sustainable society that we all dream of. Unfortunately teachers alone are not able to do this. Nor are school leaders. Or academy sponsors. It needs a full government initiative supported by all governments of the world. But then someone is going to stop making billions.

2019-09-30 22:09:44 UTC

UK

1. People need to start taking responsibility for their consumption habits rather than blaming the manufacturers.
As suggested by Diana Ivanova, we need a shift in our mindset to a model where individual and societal well-being are considered more important. Presently, people are so focused on their own lives and comforts, it will take a powerful campaign to shift perspectives, but it is imperative as populations continue to grow.

2. We need to transition to low carbon lifestyles. Currently it seems that a small percentage of the world population are producing a large percentage of of carbon emissions. In the UK people are becoming more aware of this, but are often only making positive changes where it doesn’t affect their lifestyle too much. People are too reliant on their cars, air- conditioned environments and foods imported from across the world, for example. Can education push people to move out of their comfort zones?

3. Improving the status of women could reduce the fertility rate. Education about, and provision of birth control could help prevent the 350 million unwanted births annually In poorer countries. Educating women and improving their aspirations so they see their purpose as being more than just mothers would encourage them to plan their families with more care.

UK

2019-10-01 21:27:35 UTC

As a teacher it is vital to teach children about how to reduce their carbon footprint. However I think that teachers need to be educated in this area too. Although many people are aware of the current situation, they may have gaps in their understanding and perhaps not be fully informed to pass on correct information. It is important that everyone is involved as everyone has a part to play to protect their planet.

UK

2019-10-02 01:15:27 UTC

There is no short easy answer for education to help with these issues. We are surrounded by consumerism from a young age; adverts on TV aimed at young children, eating food we do not want or need and having too much ‘stuff’ around us. Education can play its part by taking education out of the classroom and teaching children about sustainable farming and a life without ‘stuff’. Maybe with an emphasis on how things used to be. Children are growing more and more unhappy in this digital age when friends are met through a screen rather than face-to-face. We need to teach them about real relationships, real food, and how happy you can be with very little.
Perhaps it doesn’t apply to the UK as much as other Countries but tackling teenage pregnancy through contraception and giving gir,s hope for the future. So much could be achieved through a change from relying on material goods.

UK

2019-10-02 12:03:44 UTC

The changing lifestyle expectations linked to consumerism is an area of great concern. As educators, we will have to teach and encourage a more sustainable lifestyle. The idea that it is greed that the earth cannot cope with is depressing. A key consideration is there, how can we encourage responsible consumption?

Scotland

2019-10-02 18:18:06 UTC

It is vital that educators do all they can to ensure that approaches and learning contexts support the development of key skills in understanding what it means to be a global citizen. The links between 'our' children's lives and those of young people across the world need to be highlighted and developed. A key focus should be on how the choices we make will impact on our own lives and the lives of others.

A) Global Key Issues

2019-10-03 04:58:34 UTC

The key global issues that education needs to respond to are:
1. unsustainable resource use and consumption
2. population growth
3. unequal opportunities for women
4. awareness of environmental problems
5. industrial production systems need to make products recyclable
6. catering for the needs of an aging population

Scotland

2019-10-03 16:55:25 UTC

We need to provide children with the opportunities to be more aware of how they impact the world around them, and to learn how live in a more sustainable way. We need to involve the whole school community in this though, especially the families of our learners, it is not something that a school can do alone.

UK

2019-10-06 11:32:26 UTC

Consumer Culture
"Sir, sir have you got the iphone 11 yet?" This past week a have had this question thrown at me by many students, usually preceded by "I have, look."

I agree with many of the people on this word wall stating that tackling consumerism is a starting point. For me, the solution is simple...make Media Studies mandatory! The course content teaches pupils about the ways in which consumers are literally being manipulated into making purchases. It allows them to see that we have evolved into a society that relies on the public knowledge of our consumption for gratification and more importantly encourages them to challenge the consumer lifestyle.

Turkey

albishatwork — 2019-10-07 17:14:14 UTC

I think the issue raised in the article that is most relevant to Turkey is making sure that women have access to education. In the East of the country there are many areas where girls still aren't given the opportunities for education and are married quite young. Probably due to very traditional values, it's the norm for families to be quite big and contraception isn't widely available or talked about. If women and girls had access to quality education that included awareness of their options, they may be better informed to make different choices and maybe have fewer children.

Turkey

2019-10-07 21:21:03 UTC

due to the traditional values it is seen as normal for large families, this is because contraception is not easily accessed like it is within the UK. if young children had access to education, they would be made aware about the consequences on not using any form of contraception and may cause them to make different life choices. due to not have good access to education they are often getting married young and also having families very young.

England

2019-10-08 18:28:48 UTC

A notable finding for me within this article is the need for effective sex education in an attempt to tackle teen/unwanted pregnancy. Sex education is not sufficiently taught with their being a very small proportion of trained teachers.

Switzerland

b_harpham — 2019-10-09 17:31:58 UTC

I have recently moved to Switzerland and have noticed that children in government schools are expected to walk home for lunch each day for around an hour and a half. I always wonder who is waiting at home for them during this time as some of them are only 5/6 years old. Surely the mother is not expected to be home for her children while the father works? If this is the case, then this tradition is outdated and I feel change is needed if Switzerland is going to empower women.

Cameroon

2019-10-10 06:10:15 UTC

option B

1. Education needs to concern itself with training learners who can think creatively of new ways to minimize consumption of our depleting resources.
2 Encourage technological research and projects in schools where learners can use their knowledge and skills to create technologies to solve the problem of waste management.
3 Education systems can educate the population about the necessity of urbanizing enclaved areas so that there should be less emigration from rural to urban and there will be equal distribution of resources for everyone.

Scotland

2019-10-10 10:13:53 UTC

Scotland is a country with an falling birth rate and a aging population. With an aging population mean Scotland may face issues with economical growth and may also contribute to a shift in local funding due to high need for elderly care, meaning there will be less investment in education.
When looking at the causes of the low birth rate is show women are attending university and taking on high level employment leading to them having children later in life and also having fewer children at this time. A solution is this would be offering better investment for people have children early. Education in Scotland right from pre-school to university is free, meaning people will always be able to afford good education. Family's are also offed grants, baby boxes and outer financial aid for their new born's, all in the hope people will have bigger families.

UK

2019-10-10 20:02:02 UTC

I think in the UK, as a country that has a relatively high carbon footprint per household, our education system has a moral need to teach students about ways to reduce our emissions.
This needs to become something that we teach explicitly through possibly the science and geography curriculum and also something we model as an institution.
For example car share schemes for staff, actually recycling of waste, installing solar panels etc.

United Kingdom

2019-10-11 17:06:48 UTC

Education of our youngsters on these issues should be a driver. The UK is a massive consumer of resources, goods and energy. We must educate our children to live a sustainable life by illustrating the impact high consumption has. They need to understand that big business - who they blame at the moment - are only responding to the demands of the consumer.
We also need to continue increasing the standing of our girls and encourage them to have proper role models rather than the celebrities they tend to idolise.

The Netherlands

2019-10-13 11:57:19 UTC

Here the electric car is heralded as “the solution for our emissions.” But.... there is rarely payed interest to scientific articles that prove that an electric car (of course) has a lot less emission when it has been build, but the production process has a lot more emissions (mainly because of the production of the lithium batteries needed to drive the car). So: “is banning all fuel cars (in time) and substitute them for electrical cars really an improvement for our environment?” I think this is what education should be about. Working at questions like this, across borders of subject, working with different sources and perspectives.

UK

2019-10-13 14:33:21 UTC

I think that partial solution lies in educating our children about consumption and the impact it has on our planet. Education about reuse, recycling, rebuilding would be a simple way to reduce consumption, as opposed to focusing on disposable goods, buildings and ways of living living

UK / Wales

pricek80 — 2019-10-13 16:16:26 UTC

I believe that the two main things that education needs to concentrate on in order to make the future sustainable are:
1) Reuseable and renewable resources: teaching students about them, using them wherever possible. By reducing the footprint in our working life and educating others to do the same, the impact could be immense.
2) Becoming carbon neutral. The reduction in CO2 emmissions is a key factor in sustaining the future of our planet. Wider use of car share schemes for staff, greater recycling facilities, refill stations around school for things like water bottles, checking that children's packed lunches are not full of single use plastic and also avoiding non-recyclable meterials in school meal choices.

UK

2019-10-16 19:29:27 UTC

We need to develop and includes global issues within the whole education system, like Maths and English subjects. We are teaching our kids & ourselves how to become rich - find work, buy a car, a house etc. But what we are not teaching them is how to do these without destroying the environment. Children need to know that their future could be overpopulated and unsustainable if their parent and their community do not adopt take immediate actions to save guard their future.

United Kingdom

matthewsr2002 — 2019-10-16 20:29:45 UTC

It is the rise in global consumption, rather than population. The next generation needs to be educated on how to be sustainable the problem isn't human growth its about individuals being selfish low income countries use little consumption. The government needs to place more focus on sustainability. Follow the foot steps of low emissions countries. Teachers could encourage children to be more environmentally friendly. Also parents are the main role models within children's lives. Educating adults on environmental issues and how to be much greener and environmentally friendly. the county is moving to a much greener future with cars that are eco-friendly with low emisions. The problem isn't growth of population but the consumption thus worldwide education on consumption.

UK

2019-10-16 20:33:28 UTC

(a) The key issue(s) that education needs to concern itself with globally, given expected demographic changes -

Given that 1 billion people are already starving, with that number expected to increase, the priority for education needs to be how to maximise the ability of farming and related technology to feed the greatest numbers of people possible in the most efficient way. Awareness of the impact of deforestation in order to provide land to graze cattle for the developed world's desire for meat is one stage - that demonstrates the need for change. Exploring solutions to be used in farming so that alternatives can be harnessed effectively is the next stage. This will require technologically savvy and creative children, inspired by education.

Women

2019-10-16 21:11:30 UTC

Ensuring women have an education that allows them control and gives them choices over their fertility and that these are linked to global issues that are faced is essential. Despite many years of pursuing equality it is women who tend to stay at home with children and determine how household budgets are spent so again ensuring that women are fulling engaged with education involving sustainability could have a real impact on a families carbon foot print. However, as trends change, as they are in the UK the impact may be reduced as more men are taking on roles traditionally taken by women, and education would need to reflect this changing trend.

UK

2019-10-17 19:41:41 UTC

I think a key issue that needs to be addressed is that children from all backgrounds can contribute positively to long term changes. However, more angled towards children and families in affluent areas - these groups of people should be made aware that small changes to their lifestyle can help the overall situation of Climate change. It is important to make children aware that even small changes are good changes.

Philippines

2019-10-22 12:35:43 UTC

The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act became a law in 2012 (despite opposition from religious groups). This counts toward uplifting women and bringing down birth rates. Similar laws are being crafted and passed to improve condition and education of the populace. Hopefully, the succeeding generation will have a much better country to live in.

UK

2019-10-22 17:19:36 UTC

I think to be more sustainable we need to be more mindful of our consumerism. Being a mother of a teenage daughter, she has recently discovered the world of fashion. She wants to buy more and more stuff - clothing, make up, and rubbish to make her happy and to fit in with society.

Also, consumerism is related to mental health. People buy stuff for a quick fix to make them happy. Feeling lasts a short period of time and then needs to be replenished with more consumer behaviour.

I am blessed with three teenagers that are very fussy eaters. I hate food waste and this is my goal for this year - to decrease our food waste. I think it's disgusting how much food we throw away (as a family, as a nation, and globally). Yet there a dire need for food banks in the UK as families are too poor to buy basic food to feed themselves. WE need to sort out the problem of food waste and endless consumerism.

UK a)

2019-10-22 20:01:01 UTC

As educators we need to teach our students to be more sustainable , that can be small such as thinking about the waste produced in the educational establishment . Think about new ways of students doing work eg with the use of technology such as apps rather than relying on paper copies of things .
Have students take part in community based projects or global based projects such as wateraid , this will also improve their teamworking skills etc

UK

2019-10-24 10:47:29 UTC

The statistic about household consumers being responsible for 80% of the world's land, mineral and water use was quite arresting. I suppose I assumed that industry played a greater part in this (a comfortable assumption given that this then displaces responsibility onto governments and legislation).

Education has a part to play in integrating awareness of these issues into the day-to-day curricula (which I think is starting to happen) but also in readjusting young people's understanding of what "normal" (or essential?) levels of consumption are.

From a broader pedagogical perspective, I think we could also do more to encourage creativity and problem-solving in our students. As the article explains, the development of chemical fertilisers has transformed our ability to feed a growing population; we will need more of this sort of technological innovation to support the inevitability of continued population growth.

UK (a)

2019-10-25 10:19:42 UTC

Given that in the UK we are a high-income nation (and therefore the biggest consumers), our main message as educators is that we need to live more frugally and responsibly. Seeing as householders are the largest consumers of materials, land and water- these are the people that we must engage.
Parental engagement is also key as they are the main protagonists of lifestyle choices in the household.
These issues are 'closer to home' and more relate-able to our children/parents so are more achievable.
Education of the more wider issues is also important regarding worldwide population growth and what we can do to prevent it- to raise awareness in the people that it will affect most (the young).

Netherlands/UK

2019-10-25 11:45:29 UTC

Although in some richer countries the birth rates are dropping, globally, the population continues to grow.
Supported by the BBC article, I believe education can play a vital role in halting the population growth. Education can teach children and teenagers how to prevent unwanted pregnancies, how to practice safe sex, how to protect your bounderies and value consent. Education can teach generations about the challenges that we face and how we can all take responsibility to deal with them. Education can raise the profile of minority and vulnerable populations and allow them access to knowledge they wouldn't otherwise have.

UK

2019-10-27 09:29:12 UTC

(a)
Key things we need to encourage and nurture through our education system are taking responsibilty for our actions (it is OUR consumption that contributes to global changes in climate), thinking before acting (particularly about how our actions affect the bigger picture) and teaching kids that they are powerful and the small things they do can add up to a big difference!

UK

2019-10-28 13:47:25 UTC

Household consumers account for 80% of the worlds material and water use. Therefore, an effective way to tackle this is through schooling education, as these students are tomorrows consumers.
Schools could include sustainability as part of their weekly lessons. This should be agreed nationally and form part of the formal curriculum. lesson could education learners on how to lead a low carbon lifestyle.
In addition schools themselves can lead by examples. school lunches can be zero waste, school could have energy efficient heating systems, new school buildings can be build from low emission materials and be energy efficient.

South Africa

2019-10-29 08:54:24 UTC

I agree with Diana Ivanova's proposal that education needs to teach individual responsibility and that core values taught in school should be more concerned with individual and societal well being (Capabilities model) than material wealth (Human Capital model). But it was Stefan's proposal that struck me as being essential for South Africa in particular and that is to raise the status of women (particularly in terms of education and employment opportunities), in order to speed up the decline in fertility rates.
Unfortunately in SA not all girls attend school after primary due to having to stay at home and take care of younger siblings while their parents work. If they are in high school then their education is often disrupted. In addition to this, not all schools are safe for girls to attend due to violence and sexual abuse taking place.
So, yes education needs to play a huge role in uplifting women but we have to get all the girls into the schools first and that depends on the barriers to learning being addressed urgently.

Switzerland

2019-11-03 21:13:54 UTC

1. We teach our children to think globally and to understand complex relations.
2. We start to live with low emission so the childern have good role models.
3. We learn how to be happy without the need for shopping.

UK

kaitlin1203 — 2019-11-04 11:46:58 UTC

I think that education in the UK needs to lean towards the direction of being kind, understanding and nurturing towards others. The article suggests that it was the worlds poorest countries that did not have the means to support their children, yet did not have the resources to terminate or regulate their pregnancies. As well as this, the article suggested, as a solution, that the richer countries need to provide a bigger effort to creating solutions. Offering foreign aid is a good place to start. Education children on how they can help other people globally may lead to more aid and, in turn, a more educated world with more resources, funds and less poverty.

(a) Globally

2019-11-04 17:28:49 UTC

Education is going to have to adapt to many new dynamics due to demographic changes.
Not only does the focus need to include environmental and sustanability issues, but education needs to look at globailization, how societies more and more are becoming nomad like, and thus the cultural clash that will appear. furthermore migration patterns are also going to impact populations, here education needs to focus on consumptin and the different needs of each country and community. Resources and sustainability should also be of great importance, awareness and creative responses need to be implemented.

UK option A

2019-11-04 20:48:01 UTC

Globally, there needs to be an emphasis on all girls achieving an education not just legally but as a moral human right. This way, governments will have to invest in education systems. Additionally, the stigma around girls in education in some countries such as India needs to be addressed. Girls need to be empowered to be the best that they can possibly be. This in turn will reduce the number of children being born into poverty.

Secondly, children across the globe need to be taught how to be sustainable and encouraged to pursue careers in sectors such as renewable energy. Therefore, not only will young people be more aware of their carbon footprint, but will more likely be equipped for the jobs of the future.

Germany/International School

chelsea_hansen — 2019-11-05 20:15:07 UTC

German's population has remaining fairly constant with only a little increase over the past few years. I would argue that Germany itself is doing a good job at creating environmentally conscious citizens. But what needs to change is less of a human-capital approach and more of a capabilities model in the education sector.
1) Greater importance in teaching problem solving and learning through inquiry.
2) Teaching and encouragement in creativity and innovation so future generations can be problem solvers and innovators.
3.) Encourage technological research and projects in schools.

UK

2019-11-09 16:47:42 UTC

We need to include in compulsory education the development of an understanding of the effects of lifestyle on the planet, and how individuals can take responsibility for, by having a knowledge of, their own contribution to environmental problems. New adults will then understand how their family can contribute to society solving these issues.

2019-11-10 05:47:52 UTC

Spain

2019-11-10 14:20:18 UTC

Education has a key role in terms of changing the way people consume and to educate in sustainability. If we want to preserve our planet we should change the purpose of education for future generations:

Educate in sustainability development. Is important to teach children how to become a good consumers, how to reduce our environmental footprint, and being conscious about sustainability importance.
Educate in gender equality and giving girls voice, so they can take their own decisions and choices.
Ensure that education establishments are also sustainables, reducing the plastic consume, the use of unnecessary electricity such as air conditioners, providing ecologic and local food during lunch times, etc.
Take part in projects carrying out in the school community. Ensure that children have a good knowledge of their local environment.

UK

paula_delaney1 — 2019-11-16 13:43:42 UTC

As educators it is our role to influence our pupils to control their consumption lifestyle, though I believe this is a complex challenge to undertake in the society we are in.

We need to unpick the reasons why individuals in some societies have become some reliant and invested in displays of material wealth as a means of demonstrating their status and work to develop other ways in which individuals can feel fulfilled.

UK

2019-11-17 13:15:12 UTC

(B) Ideas about potential solutions
1. Resource consumption, particularly the links between food, energy and water and the latter two and the links between industry and manufacture. Giving students a greater understanding of where their products come from and the impact this has globally, especially at end of product life.
2. Local areas and CO2 impact from individuals carbon footprint. Giving both and understanding of impact and solutions for reduction.
3. Population stabilisation through greater education of sexual health, through appropriate lessons. Especially in low-income urban environments, where prior education may not have been present or thorough.
4. Technology advancements, giving students the education of problem solving and how they can use their advancing and future technologies for globally advancement on a collective social vs personal scale.

Part A, Question 2, Part B; UK

2019-11-19 15:59:17 UTC

Hannah Johns;
Some ideas the UK could implement through schools;
1/ Firstly, schools need to verbalise the issues and teach about over-consumption in the developed world. Children will respond better if they see the impact their lifestyles are having, and the difference between their lives and those of pupils in less developed countries.
2/ They can begin to make an impact on consumption habits by banning single use plastics in lunches and offering workshops in how to plan with alternatives. 3/ Small changes such as sustainable gifts at school fairs and banning 'keyring' toys on school bags would begin to encourage people change habits out of school.
4/ School bags could be made plastic-free and school uniforms could be organic cotton where possible - with swap and sell-on schemes.
5/ Each school could be linked with a community food growing scheme that engages the wider community in gardening and cookery classes and vegetable box schemes.
6/ Walking and cycling to school could be made safer with 'crocodile' initiatives and the council ensuring cycle routes are available.
7/ Physically, schools should become community beacons of sustainability; ideas such as solar and wind power useage, grey water toilet flushing, initiatives for low paper useage, post-consumer recycled paper, biogas composters for food waste and careful consideration of food suppliers are all reasonably easy to implement and offer ongoing financial and CO2 savings.
8/ Any new schemes could be embedded into the way the curriculum is taught, furthering opportunities for children to take the issues on board and even train within the technologies/sectors.

UK (B)

2019-11-22 21:49:07 UTC

Fertility is a very important matter when speaking about the increasing of global population. I totally agree the way fertility is tackled in the country.
Currently in the UK, Education emphasis it’s learning on reducing teenage pregnancy but also I think it should center its attention in creating equality among boys and girls, women and men. Things like salary, working hours, type of jobs, etc, should be equally balanced, and this applies not only to the UK but to every country where fertility rates are affecting the normal process of increasing global population.
Elizabeth Webster

UK

2019-11-23 11:57:45 UTC

I think even here in a western country, we still need to educate girls and inspire them in society to be well educated - not necessarily to be mothers in the future but to fully self-actualise and realise their potential and perhaps even use this later to educate their own children should they wish to have any. It is also important to encourage students to look past the consumerism that the global community encourages so far and look at this less as a global solution, but more as an issue. If we educate children across the globe to think critically about this all with their own unique regional and specific experiences, we will be able to encorage a more cohesive global order in the end (I think!).

UK

2019-11-24 09:37:53 UTC

Who takes responsibility for CO2 emmissions in a globalised world? The consumer who buys a $5 handbag? Or the comapny that made it in China? or the Chinese Communist Party for fixing the law to make the factory filthy? The bank that paid for the factory to be built? The government in the west that negotiated the free trade deal to make the transaction possible? The workers in the factory who don't demand healthy and safe conditions etc etc. Until we examine the effects of the neoliberal global order and our place in it, we will find it almost impossible to change our behaviour and stop blaming others. Students and children are taught much of this in schools, some do know about exploitation of resources and people to make their sneakers, yet the lure of having the latest fashion renders that knowledge redundant.

UK Option B

2019-12-04 16:24:28 UTC

I wonder whether fertility will sort itself out? If you look at the animal kingdom. In the absence of natural predators and in situations of over-population. Cases of infertility increase. I believe that infertility in men and women is on the rise (arguably this may be proportionate to the population increases) but could this be nature reseting the balance?

Cornwall, UK Key Issues

2019-12-09 17:35:22 UTC

The key issues we are facing now is human population and living sustainably. Human population can only be control if the infrastructure is strong in every country. England are tackling teenage pregnancies. However, I was concerned recently because there was a case where a mother is "addictive to having" more children. This might be because she is taking advantages of benefits. I have attached the article below. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3629132/I-ve-got-sorry-Mother-12-receives-40-000-benefits.html

Also, I am concerned about plastic pollution. There is still companies using them! Why has this not been addressed! There is extra money to buy plastic bags and sugar tax on children. This needs to be addressed now!

India

2020-01-15 17:38:08 UTC

Education is going to have to adapt to many new dynamics due to demographic changes.
Not only does the focus need to include environmental and sustainability issues, but education needs to look at globalization, how societies more and more are becoming nomad like, and thus the cultural clash that will appear. furthermore migration patterns are also going to impact populations, here education needs to focus on consumption and the different needs of each country and community. Resources and sustainability should also be of great importance, awareness and creative responses need to be implemented.

Education has a vital part to play in educating the population of the future. We need to be educating children with a view of them as global citizens, not just members of the UK, or China, or USA, or Philippines for example. Every child needs to have a sense of guardianship of the world and a knowledge that they are part of the global community, responsible for their individual and collective actions. Teaching sustainability as part of every child's education should help to offset the inevitable environmental and socio-economic challenges faced by the world's population in the 21st century.

ginstermail — 2020-01-19 15:23:05 UTC

Growing and Aging Population

2020-01-23 14:58:49 UTC

I really feel that UK schools need to be better preparing young people to prepare for a longer life. They need to be thinking of how to plan and cater for an aging population sustainably in all areas: buildings, health, financial matters, links between younger and older generations, etc

2020-02-18 21:13:42 UTC

Global changes towards education

England

2020-03-05 18:21:44 UTC

I think that as the population continues to grow/expand education system continue to be put under strain. There are two main problems, people are either not in education, or those who are being taught are not being taught about population growth and just how much the environment is being affected.

Zambia Option A

gmaiwase — 2020-03-10 15:33:00 UTC

The education system needs to concern itself with:

1. Women’s Rights and Gender

To support the rights of women, the education system should be sensitive towards gender issues in order to create an amicable atmosphere between both genders. Of course this does not mean that girls would receive preferential treatment, but simply ensures opportunities which allow girls to participate on the same level as the boys.

2. Global climate, resources and waste management

Global climate, resources and waste management awareness should be incorporated in the curriculum from early years through to secondary school. The curriculum should address carbon emission, preservation, and use of natural resources to help tackle poverty. The worth of these natural resources cannot be over emphasised. An example is Zambia which is amazingly rich in natural resources that can through the right educational channels be fully utilised to alleviate poverty.

3. Technology:

Through technology students can be taught how to make use of that which is available in encouraging creativity and innovation to deal with waste and promote good health.

UK

2020-03-10 16:51:21 UTC

We need to teach our Children and future children to think globally and understand any complex relations. Teach them how it is important to be thoughtful and sustainable consumers and give off ideas to others how to be sustainable. This can be done by teaching them about the result of high number of consumers and develop their ideas that could help to reduce this. In addition in many schools have helped to tackle the issue we have with plastic which will help the teach the children at a young age and help them understand why, and will result them into using less. This helps to show that our youth do care and if taught how they will help to reduce the carbon footprint.

Bulgaria b) Solutions

2020-03-21 13:22:21 UTC

In Bulgaria old aged people are most, so the birth average is low. Empowerment women will be the change. Here we have most represented women in politics and IT sector. But still demographic problem is connect with gypsies. So obligatory education is need because of their growing population without any, even primary degree. And any food and other well-being products to keep children in school.

UK

2020-03-22 00:02:53 UTC

Over the past two years it is young people that have seized the initiative and put action on climate change on the national agenda, Politicians at the local and national level are playing catch up and making green policy announcements, Sustainable education should allow young people the agency to educate themselves on changing behavour to reach lower emissions targets and to keep the pressure on.
world leaders. Changing consumption patterns to be more sustainable should become a key learning goal in secondary education

Young people settled in the UK from countries which have a poor record on female empowerment can organise locally to gather awareness. Study of this should also be a key learning goal This can lead to action to prevent issues like early forced marriage, FGM happening to girls based in the UK well as their homelands.

Spain

2020-03-29 16:21:20 UTC

Thinking globally, education must focus on how to solve this conflict. Of course, population will keep growing, but as teachers, we need to instill the courage to consume what is necessary.

In Spain, as in most contries I imagine, we can buy everything we want at any time, why don't we just stop and think about what do we really need and how can we take things we need from the Earth in a proper way?

Global Education

2020-03-30 05:53:56 UTC

As stated in the article, in order to solve our current issue of making the earth more sustainable, I believe it is essential to educate all students in a way that elevate women's rights and also help students become aware of the true state of the planet. That being said, with the current situation around the world with many refugees seeking asylum without exorbitant resources, this is also important that they receive education on these crucial topics also in order to allow people to live harmoniously together and assimilate into a community where we can peacefully coexist.

UK -

2020-03-30 11:31:18 UTC

we as educators needs to find away that industry can still wrk and develop, alongside making this sustainable. Within our schools somehwere, we will have a Franklin or Einstein, who can come with the idea to reduce Co2 levels without having a huge impact on the industry we are all dependent on.
Urbanisation needs to be slowly under done as well, and through regeneration of specific areas direct talent pools to new areas.

The country UK should focus on sustainable development education and individual, local community and international consequences.

2020-03-31 17:19:25 UTC

UK

2020-04-01 11:45:44 UTC

Similarly to opinions expressed from other participants above, we need to educate the younger generation on the impacts of our choices in terms of food, clothes, lifestyle etc. We need to educate them on the holistic view of options/objects in our life and the social pressure we need to withstand (do we really?). Furthermore, we need education on how technology can assist us towards the creation of a sustainable world (innovation, creativity, rather than be afraid of it, or praise EVERY technological advancement.

UK

2020-04-01 13:42:37 UTC

I was/am amazed that the education of and raising the status of women worldwide could have such an impact on the future of the planet. I shouldn't be. It makes perfect sense, but in the current state of many countries, this is unlikely globally and the population will continue to rise.

China

2020-04-01 14:14:50 UTC

Key issues:
Population growth and increasing population density puts a lot of pressure on educational resources including facilities and qualified teachers
Migrant labour from the countryside to cities bring with them their children who may be deprived of education opportunities due to low income and strict household registration systems

UK

2020-04-01 18:02:35 UTC

1. We need to continue to invest in teacher training to ensure we can have classes with reasonable amounts of students which are not overloaded and allows the teachers to be able to deliver a good standard of education.

UK

2020-04-04 07:46:17 UTC

"It is not the number of people on the planet that is the issue – but the number of consumers and the scale and nature of their consumption," This is interesting, while we have already discussed sustainability, I feel that education itself needs to be sustainable but also educate on sustainability. Solution: Allow students to be creative, imaginative, etc. for as long as possible. Encourage the development of knowledge and skills to help them be influential, when ready! Do not restrict students and teachers to a one-size-fits-all testing system.

UK

2020-04-05 18:41:04 UTC

Ideas about a solution (such as those offered in the articles) which you think education systems in any one country (for example, your own) can reasonably attend to?

I think that a solution might be to invest more in the future of technology in education. This could have numerous benefits include;
- Increasing our sustainability by requiring less transport to and from education facilities
- Enabling more people to access education, perhaps removing barriers for those who are not able to access education due to disabilities or financial restrictions.

UK

2020-04-06 18:42:14 UTC

Education can play its part in ensuring male and female career stereotypes are excluded from primary and secondary education, unless the basis of a history discussion. This is to ensure that females do not grow believing motherhood is the destination. Not every female needs to reproduce.

UK Key global education needs: Secondary level education and access to tertiary level education linked to societal value of women in the workplace - publishing gender pay gaps globally and incentivising employment of women, encouraging later first pregnancies through later school leaving age, incentives for young adults to be in the workplace. Increased emphasis on STEM education which looks to improve green technology and encourage innovative/creative thinking - possibly built on the IB model. Education with an emphasis on connecting with others and developing societal wellbeing rather than education which fosters aspiration for individual wealth and material success.

2020-04-07 10:49:42 UTC

UK:

dgray44 — 2020-04-08 16:26:24 UTC

The biggest threat facing our world is not climate change, but population growth. The lack of control will continue to have a major impact on:
1) Natural resources
2) Habitats
3) Urbanisation (affecting both 1 & 2)
4) Space (land)
Reliance upon technology needs to be "side stepped" with steps ensuring control over Human population growth. This is what education is lacking, the true future that we all face.

Uk

2020-04-09 10:11:55 UTC

I think that we should be careful about the impact a growing population can have on the capacity of our very education system. If there are more students, will schools have to build new premises, and how will this effect local communities? If there are more schools built in local areas, will this push forward the debate of grammar schools vs state schools, or in other words, increase competivity between schools? Reading the article I believe it is also key not only to teach students about sustainable living but that we ensure as many students as possible have access to sex education, at an age which is appropriate but not too late. In some poorer areas of the UK the teenage pregnancy rate is higher, but if they were taught more about the different ways of contraception and the different options that they would have, this might change.

UK

2020-04-09 16:24:35 UTC

(a) The key issue(s) that education needs to concern itself with globally, given expected demographic changes? Education should equip children to live sustainable lives and make responsible choices so that there is less strain on resources and their future lifestyles are low-carbon producing, e.g. education on the benefits of vegetarian meals, making homes more economical etc. There should be a particular focus on encouraging women to have high aspirations so that they can have a future consisting of more than marriage and children.

Uk

2020-04-09 19:59:34 UTC

- Equal opportunities in education
- Enabling children to learn about their impact on the world and understand the importance of local produce in order to reduce carbon footprints

UK

2020-04-12 09:05:37 UTC

The key issue that education needs to address globally, I think, is the increased attention on women's rights. Women are the ones who have children and contribute to the rising population size; many women throughout the world have little choice but to enter motherhood, whether they want to or not. If we educate the world's women, I think there would be a decrease in birth rates because many women would choose careers. This is already happening in Western countries like the UK, where many women are opting out of motherhood, or at least staggering the time that they choose to have children. Given women more options and when and why they have children would have an impact on the population size and make our impact on the globe more sustainable.

UK

2020-04-12 17:43:39 UTC

The main issue seems to be people's lifestyles. We eat lots of meat, drive cars everywhere, burn fossil fuels to heat homes and for electricity, etc. We also have an issue with people buying cheap, throwaway products rather than investing in more environmentally friendly and longer lasting items. This results in a lot of waste and energy.

UK

2020-04-13 14:25:14 UTC

In order to alter the economic model which currently drives the UK consideration requires to be given to developing a curriculum which plays greater emphasis on societal and environmental well being rather than economic growth. This would entail enabling learners to question current norms such constantly upgrading mobile phones without consideration of environment impact of extracting the raw materials and then their production. Furthermore it would require to facilitate acceptance that constant central heating using fossil fuels was not acceptable. The model of consumerism on which the developed world is based will only change if the education system empowers individuals to demand changes which will result in a positive impact not only in Scotland but across the world.

Global

2020-04-14 16:07:19 UTC

Teach about being mindful consumers - allow the ounger generation to debate, be critical and come up with creative solutions

UK

2020-04-16 09:45:34 UTC

As educators, we need to raise children's awareness on issues of sustainability and about becoming wise consumers. They need to be taught to look at labels and think about what they are buying. Are there alternative products that contain ethically sourced ingredients? In poorer countries, girls need to be educated so that they have greater opportunities and know how to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

UK

2020-04-16 10:10:10 UTC

Children need to be taught about the policies that have led to the current situation, they need to understand the interconnected nature of life on earth, and the level of personal responsibility involved. We then need to ensure that the education system teaches the skills that will be required – collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, empathy and compassion. In addition, we need to educate to change the way we consume – do we really need a new phone every 2 years? Can a product be repaired, rather than replaced? As the article mentions, we will need to move away from aspiring to material wealth, towards societal well-being; perhaps this will precipitate a move from the human capital model towards a combination of the right-based and capabilities approaches to education, as they seem to better fit this outcome. Ultimately, we need to educate global citizens.

UK

2020-04-17 15:50:14 UTC

Due to the ever increasing, rapid growth in population, children need to be taught from a very young age the impact of their consumption.

Demographics

2020-04-17 15:57:11 UTC

Never before has the UK economy been bolstered by the education sector. With a flourishing private and boarding sector, wealthy parents from around the world are choosing the UK as the destination to send their children for a quality education, starting at a Primary level and lasting until University. These students bring with them thousands if not hundreds of thousands of pounds in fee's and accommodation/boarding fee's. Yet the private sector is constantly under the microscope, tarnished by claims of elitism, state sector success capping.

Italy

monique712015 — 2020-04-18 15:16:30 UTC

Education could play a big part in creating a sustainable population, by changing core subjects for capabilities and functions, for example; if children/ young learners were taught how to live off the planet, how to plant and grow food resources, which are just as important as math, if we took notice of what the capabilities model values, core subjects wouldn't be necessary, concentrating on an individuals capabilities and rights to invent and discover, natural mathematicians, scientists would not be lost, but farming may become just as popular, developing determination, practical knowledge, planning skills and positive mindset is something that young learners have naturally and education should be also encouraging these children.

UK

2020-04-18 16:38:09 UTC

From an early age we should not only educate children but model to them ways of leading more responsible lifestyles regarding consumerism and wasteage. We can teach them about recycling, re-using and reducing what we use but also need to demonstrate this in our own practices. It is also important to try to send this message home to their families, who may be of an era where these messages were not taught as such in schools and who may be ignorant to some of the effects of wastage and ways we can avoid it. As a country I do not feel the UK is the worst at doing this but there are certainly other countries around the world we could learn some valuable lessons from.

USA

2020-04-21 01:39:29 UTC

I think the biggest thing here is the need for education to those that are the "cause" of population growth: women. If we as a species can decide to further the education of women to a point where they are equal or, if not, of a higher status than men, we would be able to prevent such a rapid growth. Socioeconomics points to mainly positive aspects of educated female populations. Additionally, better access to contraceptives and abortions, and a secularization in education to allow women to learn free of religious constraints.

what education needs to teach in order to tackle effects of population growth.

2020-04-22 19:05:07 UTC

1. education needs to teach population to live sustainably, teach core values, attention away from material wealth to individual and social wellbeing.
2. need to educate women globally on reproductive rights
3. teach people about enviromental responsibilty, and how to recycle and waste responsibility.

UK

2020-04-23 13:37:47 UTC

Educating children in the UK to recylce, and to support local businesses that supply local food and materials would be a great place to start on helping stop overpopulation.
Additionally, teaching children what is essential particularly in terms of energy consumption would help from a young age.

UK

2020-04-23 14:08:13 UTC

Given the future demographic predictions it is imperative education is reformed from primary through to secondary in order to prepare students to be analytical problem solvers and view human life and the worlds' environment as their responsibility and finding sustainable alternatives. The government needs to follow through with policy change and raise better awareness on lowering omissions to support education pathways. I also believe that education should make both males and females aware of the importance of not having too many children.

England

2020-04-24 10:28:04 UTC

As the population continues to rise and has done so for many years already, the education sector needs to ensure that the next generation are being taught to help make our world a sustainable place and to focus their efforts on needs and not wants. If children globally are informed of the same issues we all face then perhaps it will become a way of life rather than an option that many do not take.

UK

eloisesutton — 2020-04-24 14:51:48 UTC

Young people are the generation that have the greatest understanding of their impact on the environment; because our knowledge of our impact is growing and children are taught this new information (whereas older generations are hesitant to accept new information and changes).
We need to incorporate consumption into this education, so they understand what they should be doing, reducing waste etc.
We have gotten very used to our lifestyles and people find it "downgrading" when asked to reduce the amount of stuff we use and have, and changing to sustainable living seems like going backwards for many people.
Education is working to change this mindset, we need more shows like Blue Planet etc. to get through to the older generation so they can also change their ways.

Uk

2020-04-24 16:29:36 UTC

I think its safe to say that globally it is to late for anyone out of school to make enough changes to resolve our global population and carbon emissions issues. The solution I believe is to educator the future generations in all countries to make better choices. Sustainable living needs to be added to all mandatory education, teaching children to have smaller families and sharing knowledge from wealthier areas that still maintain a low carbon footprint.
The biggest barrier to all will be getting contraception available and excepted by all religions/cultures.

UK Option b

2020-04-26 11:12:48 UTC

1. Curriculum must include opportunities for students to understand the basic principles of interconnectedness of humanity as individuals, communities, countries and globally across a multi-subject approach and age groups.
2. Education should be progressive in terms of addressing things that matter for the well-being of humans other than purely status and economic growth.
3. Embrace new technologies and think of a different approach to education beyond classroom walls, text books and examination to more experiential and creative learning.

UK

2020-04-26 13:53:10 UTC

The key issues that education needs to concern itself with globally
1) Gender equality - better access for girls to attend school leading to better opportunities and more awareness of their rights.
2) Individual responsibility - shifting the focus back to what individuals can do to help the planet and teaching from an early age how to live sustainably
3) Global citizenship - putting local efforts into a global perspective e.g. awards for "eco-schools", "most sustaib

Educating the next generation of consumers in the UK

2020-04-26 20:22:58 UTC

In the UK we have slightly lost sight of educating the whole of the young person, we have concentrated almost entirely on STEM and educating for employment. For example in my own local authority we have one maths teacher per 80 pupils but only one home economics teacher per 500 pupils. I don't see it as a male/female thing - in fact that's a risky path to go down - I see it as everyone's concern.
Apropos consumerism, I note an article from Huff Post pointing out the supersizing of McDonalds offerings - eg in 1955 you could only by one size portion of fries, now the smallest size of fries is larger - and they are building a new branch of Maccy D's outside one of our high schools right now!

UK

2020-04-27 07:48:58 UTC

I believe we need to focus education on the unnecessary need for material goods, and how having the new iphone or a £200 handbag is not the be all and end all of life. If we can teach people to appreciate life without considering material possessions, we can raise a society that will reduce the environmental pressures.

UK

2020-04-27 11:33:52 UTC

The United Kingdom is a quickly growing, consumer driven society. I feel that as educators a huge responsibility in the next few years is to educate children about their personal and the wider community's consumption. How can we consume less and take responsibility for it?

UK

2020-04-27 12:09:39 UTC

In my opinion one of the key issues education needs to concern itself with globally, is a focus on teaching students how to be adaptable and flexible to unsure that they can adapt as the earth changes. It is also the students are taught about the earth and its lifespan and how they can influence the future of the planet they live on. Whilst critical issues both of these issues can be integrated into core subjects within the curriculum to ensure the knowledge becomes embedded in students and encourages them to consider them as larger issues than just an issue within a subject in school.

China

2020-04-28 01:46:33 UTC

I think it's important that schools in China continue to take a pragmatic approach to develop its drive to promote education for all girls, particularly in rural areas. Educating young women, as well as ensuring effective sex and relationships education, as well as family planning, centering on gender equality, will go a long way to breaking stigmas seen in China.

UK 3b

2020-04-28 12:42:11 UTC

1. Education needs to be accessible to all so that everyone can contribute to maintaining the planet. Students need to realise that they are not just one person doing their own thing, but that people globally, next to them and across town are all affected by actions taken. They also need to appreciate the actions that have consequences on the world as well.
2. Help teach students how they can make a difference in their own lives, so that globally the responsibility is shared by everyone.

uk

2020-04-28 20:21:41 UTC

Although schools do educate about recyling and the environment, i feel children as they develop further need to learn more about what is a want and what is a need. As we speak, being in a pandemic while in school keyworkers and staff discuss how much they have ordered from amazon. i usually live plastic free and this situation has made it very difficult to continue to do. As electronics is such a high turn over with laptops, tablets and phones , these need to be recycled. perhaps a ban on putting these items in the bin such as with gas canisters so we can ensure the reuse. laptop companies could return to upgradable devices and swap to making profit through existig customers.
It is hard to teach children that brand new isnt nessesarily better when this is surrounding them through the way that adults behave, the media and advertisimg. this all would need to change to make a real impact.

UK Firstly, the global population needs to be educated, not just children and young people about the current global demographic changes taking place, the environmental impact and unsustainability. This should be high on every country’s agenda. How this education takes place needs to be considered. It can be part of a national school-based curriculum but how can it be made more impactful to those who are older or uneducated or not in school now?The status of women globally but especially in wealthier countries is rising and this trend needs to continue. All girls should be educated and supported to complete their secondary education at least, in order to gain employment and as the primary educators of the next generation. Fertility rates may also be limited consequently.Globally we also need to research and develop the most effective teaching and learning methodologies with possibly less focus on STEM and a greater emphasis on local context and educating children for a sustainable global future. Individual governments have policies about school infrastructures, class sizes and teacher training but honest, transparent research needs to be shared and with poorer countries and its implementation supported.

2020-04-29 11:54:16 UTC

UK

2020-04-30 08:05:13 UTC

We should teach pupils about a sustainable way of living and the importance of sustainability right through school since this will be one of the biggest challenges faced in the future. The importance of everyone playing their part since HICs are the biggest emitters whilst LICs often feel the negative impacts should also be embedded within their learning.

UK

2020-04-30 11:48:39 UTC

If education focused on children appreciating a less consumer based lifestyle that would be a start. I also think children understanding that
the things they have in their privileged life don't come easy- for example food. How hard is it to sow seeds and wait for the food- to have it out of season which country does it need to come from and what was the impact on CO2 and the farmers?

UK

2020-04-30 14:32:35 UTC

I believe that we need to include in education the affects of everyday actions, and how to make subtle changes to life in order to live in a more sustainable manner, and also address how we can encourage others to do so.

Uk

2020-05-01 10:50:40 UTC

Despite doing this course, my thoughts re the role of education are still inchoate. People have said that education should do x, but education is often decided by Governments, using the capital model, whilst many teachers would prefer a capabilities rights, type model, with a bit of human capital.

For myself I have not worked out yet whether one can support all learners to be self motivated or whether some top down model is almost inevitable. I think that something in the middle may be the answer. Plenty of time and space for children and adults to learn practical skills including driving but also the underpinning skills of maths, science, IT, and languages in a spirit of self discovery. Some of this might be delivered through a fairly conventional space like a school but much could be done online. The recent virus has shown that unexpected things throw all economies out of kilter, but some ;people are very creative in their responses to change.

And what could an expanding population mean too? It was interesting to learn that whilst many countries in the West consume disproportionately not all countries have fitted that picture. We also know that there are lots of innovations in science and food technology that might shift the way we consume food, but it seems incumbent on all economics teaching, geography etc, that students learn the real cost of production - a very complex analysis. But for this to be meaningful, too you could land up with a population that desires change and works for change, but they also need Governments that are enlightened and creative in favour of ironing out economic differences etc. Education might help foster such attitudes. It remains to be seen. The internet will also allow access to a wide variety of ins;inspirational educators, but also some poor ones, but there are great opportunities to be had that could be positive in an open source type world.

Cardiff Wales UK

attiaplana — 2020-05-02 00:12:08 UTC

Ideas about a solution which I think education systems Cardiff can reasonably attend to:
Try putting children in special segregated classes as children will have a dedicated teacher catering specifically to their needs without having to worry about neglecting other children. Reducing the amount of needs within the class will allow teachers to concentrate on their students and when children are ready to integrate into mainstream classes teachers can help with transition too.

UK

2020-05-04 10:08:38 UTC

Given the timing of this post (May 2020), Education is already changing to address the impact of a global pandemic. The effect on the environment is being seen by the decrease in CO2 emissions as factories across the world close, travel is restricted and people learn to live in a more frugal way. Is this a time when education can change to support children in understanding how the enforced change in lifestyle could be addressed to make positive changes to the future by continuing to make changes to how we live?

UK

2020-05-04 14:58:09 UTC

I think we are a consumer population- next new gadget, throw away clothes- we want more. Education should be training our students about necessary objects' effects on ecology globally. Where doe objects come from? where are they made? what are these conditions? How can we reduce this? Think about reusing, sustaining products for longer.
fashion etc should be making it a policy to ensure that all are treated equally, given a real wage so the poor will be able to work, they have the freedom to choose their education and path; this will reduce slavery, more productive use of resources if equality and safety is adhered to.
We are all humans, we all want to buy as it makes us feel good owning something new, but would we still have the same view if we knew the production schedules and the same want?

UK B. Solutions?

2020-05-04 16:38:39 UTC

Solution is that material wealth does not create happiness? the current pandemic does seem to have steered some leaning towards this notion, although it is a 'wicked' problem i.e it is complex societal/human need to 'furnish ones cave' so to speak! but I think the balance has tipped far too far!! Human's do NOT need all this 'stuff' to be healthy! There are now 'minimalist' movements that are generating support, ironically it seems, some in the Western/industrialised/modernised countries are now looking for a 'simpler', more rewarding way of life. As it seems you cannot 'buy' happiness! Enough for everyone's need, not greed? Understanding history, psychology, economics, politics ... it seems we need to understand a lot to be able to first try to find the answers to sustainability/sus. dev./equity etc.

Posting from UK

2020-05-05 09:57:19 UTC

It was the quote from David Satterthwaite that struck me early in the article; "It is not the number of people on the planet that is the issue – but the number of consumers and the scale and nature of their consumption,". Overpopulation is an issue that is far greater than one person or even one nation but it is also a word which is thrown around in a carefree manner without giving much thought to the implications, solutions or what it actually means. Satterthwaite's words make the concept of overpopulation and possible responses much more of a reality. More people are going to be born and in turn they will reproduce. The number of people on the planet, whilst an issue with space and the impact of that on environments etc, is a difficult aspect to manage legally and ethically. Considering people as consumers instead puts the responsibility on the individual and becomes an area which can be shared through education. It begins with the education received through school but very quickly needs to become an 'education' in its much broader sense. We need to educate everyone on the importance of sustainability, conservation and the impact that their daily choices can have. As teachers we show this through the work that we do with our children and encourage them and their families to make changes. It is the responsibility of those above us, in Governments etc to make sure that the domino effect takes hold and the approaches are carried through on a much larger scale.

Wealthy in the West Need to Change Priorities

2020-05-05 13:51:24 UTC

I think the key issue in countries like the UK is that there needs to be a shift in what people regard as important.
People need to realise that wealth does not mean having material possessions it means being healthy and having the ability to promote well-being throughout society. Everyone needs to realise consuming less, being responsible for our actions and educating future generations to do the same is what makes us better people. We would be a wealthy country, rich in values not possessions.

UK

2020-05-05 16:19:30 UTC

Education needs to include more about the challenges of the number of people based on the climate and other environmental factors. Looking into what material good are a true necessity or how the future generations can best impact the world with the continue rise of the population.

UK

2020-05-06 14:32:24 UTC

Gandhi: "The world has enough for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed."

I found this quote interesting. As educators it is something we don't really think about on a daily basis. I think we should teach students not just academic means but also cultural and global impacts on what our behaviour does to the world. If we taught them to be more responsible, to recycle, learn more about the earth and all it's inhabitants and the impact everyone has it may open their eyes. Primary schools seem to be the only ones focused on teaching these life skills. I think more at secondary schools should happen!

In the UK we need to invest more money into education. This means training AND attaining more teachers to be able to cope with the demands of education from rising population. Raising the number and well-being levels of staff would not only mean being able to actually offer education to all children, but to offer a high standard of education as well. From this, we will then be able to have more resources to focus on educating children about a sustainable future.

2020-05-07 07:14:04 UTC

UK

icebabes71 — 2020-05-07 09:16:09 UTC

Educating the next generation is key in reducing consumer goods and 'taking' from the economy. Far too often it is about material goods and the next best thing when we should be educating on preserving what we have and how we can live 'smarter' without the need for new technology to make us more lazy.

UK

2020-05-07 09:48:17 UTC

In order to begin to solve the problem presented we need to educate children about consumerism. What it is and how ways in which we can reduce it to make it more sustainable for the future. Giving children real life examples of countries which do not consume as much/do not have access to the same consumerism that we do.

UK

2020-05-07 14:32:11 UTC

To help solve the problem, we need to make students aware of the issues of living in a capitalist society and the issues around consumerism. Our students are obsessed with material gains and we encourage this in education. Nothing is studied for the joy of learning, everything is done for a grade and as much as OFSTED like to claim that we aren't supposed to teach to the test, deviate away from it and watch the students switch off. They constantly want to know "does this impact my grade?" "Do I need this for the exam?" and the moment you tell them no, they deem it unimportant.

From Cambodia.

2020-05-11 07:39:34 UTC

Well, this is certainly an interesting topic. Living in Phnom Penh, it is quite evident that many places in Southeast Asia has this challenge of over-populated city centers. People flock to the cities for better income. Yet, this causes many other problems. The best thing we can do, as educators, is to equip our learners with the facts, and to challenge students with questions as to how they can contribute to a better society. How can we make things better for our selves, and for the future generations? I think small changes from home would be a step in the right direction.

UK

2020-05-11 10:44:32 UTC

The article challenges the need for economic growth with sustainability. One key issue for education, is the need to change focus. How can we prepare children for a world that nobody knows? Children need to be educated in a way that does not reproduce the notion that high level of education will transpire to high levels of wealth which may or may not lead to higher levels of preconceived happiness.

UK

2020-05-11 10:59:01 UTC

- Teaching about environmental sustainability on a small, local / independent scale
- changing lifestyle: more minimalistic and nature based rather than consumer
- develop scientific and STEM knowledge for creativity in students/ future generations

Toronto, Canada

emmarae0930 — 2020-05-11 20:07:50 UTC

I found the article to be very thought provoking. The education system should be taking a closer look at what we can teach children now, that will support them for the future. Educating youth on what is consumerism, what does over purchasing look like and what does that look like from an environmental perspective (landfills and factories).

There should be more focus on how to recycle, up-cycle and how to create a zero waste (or as close to zero as possible) household. That means buying less items that come in plastic containers, sharing materials with family members, purchasing from bulk stores that support bringing your own containers. But the point is we should not just be TELLING children what to do but educating them, so that they understand and want to learn more about how to save our planet.

I also love the idea of teaching that everyone is equal. Putting more emphasis on women in the workplace and being equally as important as men. Changing the way society looks at men being the primary caregiver of their children. Teaching equality throughput a child's life, so when they reach adulthood they know that no matter what sex they are, or how they identify themselves, it is equal and everyone is free to choose their own path.

Uk

2020-05-12 14:25:17 UTC

I was shocked by the 80% of land/mineral/water being used by households statistic. This suggests that day to day households need to be more educated/allowed to be more sustainable to see real change.

UK - B) Solutions

2020-05-12 14:38:54 UTC

UK education can focus on sustainability and consumption - teaching to only use what we need and why this is so important. This could see a generational shift in lower consumption rates.

UK

2020-05-13 11:25:21 UTC

Clear need to focus on consumption, use of resources and moving towards being more sustainable globally. It does also seem to make clear the need for education to play a large part by way of educating all, closing the education gender gap as a way of reducing the popularity which will in turn impact upon the consumption aspect.

Uk

2020-05-13 14:13:42 UTC

We must start to teach about learning to live a more simple existence. Since the rise in technology and being able to have everything delivered to us , the increased choice and the feeling that we have to have more than what we need is becoming more of an issue. How do we change the thinking when there is so much choice?

UK

2020-05-13 18:13:25 UTC

Very tricky to educate children on the importance of consumption when we seem to live in a world of expecting to have everything now. With credit so easily available and large mortgages, many middle-high income families (and some low) seem to get everything they want. If we could reduce the available credit then we may change consumer buying habits.

UK

2020-05-16 20:18:59 UTC

UK

2020-05-16 20:19:16 UTC

1... Schools refuse to plastic resources that cannot be recycled.
2...Sustainability is built alongside science - strengthening Science Curriculum.
3... Schools are hold to account for making local issues known to families. Sustainability...pollution etc.
4... Curriculum is re-built using real-life resources so that pupils are taught to reuse/ recreate clothing.
5... Maslows Hierarchy of needs supports pupils well-being by ensuring that children leave school with survival skills first and foremost. Can build their own house. Can sew on a patch. Can light a fire. Reducing anxiety and building resilience.
6... staff are trained in all of the above.
7...Gender Gaps are challenged, ensuing women have power.
8...These world changes are shared with older generations and their rose tinted nostalgia shrinks.
9...It cannot be made harder for women to have children and pay for child care.
10... More localised community support

UK (B)

2020-05-18 09:54:53 UTC

It would be beneficial to integrate sustainable living into children's education from a very young age. Planting, recycling and the importance of walking/cycling instead of using vehicles could be the baseline, educating them for a self-sustainable future. This can lead onto further education into consumerism and the responsibilities they will have to protect the environment. Of course this would mean older generations would have to teach by example and begin the changes in behaviour themselves.

UK Option B

2020-05-18 15:05:58 UTC

-Incorporate the importance of sustainable living into the curriculum and educate children about the impact of their carbon footprint and how to reduce it
-Encourage children to be mindful consumers

Philippines - As a teacher myself, I always believe that practice starts at home or the environments that are home to you. For instance, I can teach and encourage my kids to be aware of their own carbon footprint and try to build a more personal view and practice of "sustainable consumption" in daily living, such us shopping for less clothes, not using non-biodegradable packaging, etc.

2020-05-19 12:49:38 UTC

UK b)

2020-05-20 09:41:29 UTC

We need to merge outdoor and nature based learning with classroom learning in our school system, so that young people can understand better how there way of living affects the environment around them and the global environment. This in turn will lead to how we can possible sustain the worlds population as it grows.

UK

2020-05-20 12:12:41 UTC

In order to help solve the problems we face we need to teach students how to live in a sustainable way. Starting with the school itself - does it use a green supplier, has it got solar/wind generators, does it collect rainwater and recycle grey water. Has the school got a policy to stop buying single use plastic? Are second hand uniforms encouraged and recycled. Are pupils encouraged to walk and ride to school? Is it safe to do this? Is car sharing promoted? Is the school growing its own food and planting trees in the community? Is it trying to more to a paperless environment? Is the fruit bought fair trade? I think its fair to expect schools to practice what it preaches. I think sex education is another key component in hopefully reducing the worlds population.

(UK)

2020-05-21 08:11:06 UTC

First we need to convince everyone that there is a problem.
Establish as precisely as possible what the problem is.
Persuade everyone that part of the solution is to establish balance: what do I need, rather than what do I want.
The solution involves everyone, everywhere. So the solution needs to be wider than the "traditional education system".
I wonder what will be the long term effects on fluidity of movement of the Covid19 pandemic.

UK

2020-05-21 10:19:47 UTC

As the article states, it is not necessarily overpopulation that causes an issue, but the lifestyles and consumerism of that populous. Education is built around the way adults live their lives, and as adults are living in a consumer-driven world, we are preparing our children for more of the same. If we take the time to teach an learn about what we truly need and the impacts of current capitalist society, we may be able to control not the population, but the impact of the population.

UK

2020-05-21 15:47:14 UTC

As the article suggests to be sustainable need to have less focus on population and more on adopting low carbon lifestyles. Currently education tends to focus on human capital model and need to adjust focus away from an emphasis on material wealth, and towards a model where individual and societal well-being are considered most important.

UK Option B

2020-05-26 10:25:25 UTC

Tackling consumerism is a key starting point which, in today's society is difficult when children are surrounded by consumerism before they even start school.
Education needs to focus more on a model where low-carbon lifestyles are successfully taught so that children and young people understand the benefits now, and for the future, of living a sustainable lifestyle.
The school children of today are tomorrow's consumers yet sustainability is a very small part of the NC at primary school level and is not always taught. This needs to be addressed so that children understand how to make the right choices for the future of the planet.

United Kingdom: A) Key issues that education needs to concern itself with globally, given expected demographic changes.

2020-05-26 11:23:42 UTC

One of the key issues in relation to a population growth and the inability to live on earth sustainably is the status of women worldwide. Figures show that women/girls around the world are not only deprived of equal opportunities, but are also missing out on education all together (in some areas of the world).

If, globally, the status of women was improved, it is suggested that this could have further positive impacts on sustaining population. Furthermore, if women were being educated on an equal bases to men, and given the same opportunities, would this not provide ‘more hands on deck’ so to speak?
For example, more people trying to create solutions to world problems, more skilled people with ways to make the solutions possible, more passionate people who want to help save the environment etc.

Bolivia

2020-05-26 17:06:51 UTC

In developing countries the environmental impact that the population are causing is relatively small compared to Western countries. Education of the consequences of their actions is important. To avoid the thinking that it 'Isn't my problem, or it isn't my fault - why should I worry about it' . But investment from First world countries is going to be crucial in order to help them create sustainable energy and agriculture. Their belief in 'mother nature - Pacha Mama' will be an interesting dimension. They have been very against introduction of GM seeds but lack of education makes them see this as a threat to nature. Also the potential for solar energy is huge. Many years of exploitation of natural resources by foreign countries e.g Lithium from Uyuni
The fertility issue is important, many women and girls need to be given the choice of contraception to limit size of families.

UK

2020-05-29 12:57:47 UTC

1) First of all, with the population increasing, we need to make sure that more children have access to primary education or basic education worldwide. This might lead to more secure jobs and a more hopeful future.
2) Although the article mentions that population growth in urban areas won't have such a big impact, these children still need to be provided for, and given a quality education.
3) Environmental education will be more important as ever, as the human population carries on expanding

UK

2020-05-31 14:07:42 UTC

Dealing with our own carbon footprint. Each school or institution could take responsibility as a community to reduce their carbon footprint to zero by 2030 through the actions of the collective i.e. every person taking responsibility to bring this about. This is a target the Church of England has set itself - this is slowly filtering down to individual churches although I am not convinced there is enough drive and ambition to bring about the change they are actually looking for.

UK

2020-06-01 06:49:04 UTC

Global consumption is a major factor in the problems the earth is undergoing. Education needs to help children think globally - not parochially - and understand how our behaviour in the UK can affect the lives across the world. The need for the latest gadget increases concumption; we seem to have lost sight of the priorities of life: safe housing, food, water, sanitation. I liked the bbc article writer's suggestion we need to move from material wealth to societal well-being. Perhaps education could focus on local sloutions to glabal issues.

UK There seem to be a number of posts on how our children need to be educated about the issues and encouraged to think of solutions. Education needs to move away from the idea that it is just for personal improvement to get the best paying job at the expense of everyone else to a system that encourages children to see themselves part of a wider global society in which our actions affect others.

2020-06-01 06:53:47 UTC

2020-06-01 17:07:46 UTC

The planet can hold up to 10 billion peoples if everybody scales down on their footprint

Scotland

2020-06-02 13:39:20 UTC

It is about more than just educating pupils on the importance of recycling or reducing waste; education needs to challenge pupils beliefs about consumerism and the desire to want more. As a society we could praise ourselves for recycling but still consume more than we need!
Education should also focus on discussing local solutions to come away from blaming other countries for the problem, this puts the focus on the pupils and their lives rather than seeing the solution out with themselves.

A: Key issues

2020-06-02 18:46:39 UTC

The key issues are global consumption. We have to consider as the article covers what a sustainable population is and what is manageable in the years to come with rates of progression as they are. As the article highlighted, a change in the core values of developed societies are needed with ownership taken on carbon footprint and consumer impact. The idea of raising the status of women, providing education and other resources to lower fertility is an interesting idea with the notion of fertility reduction solving the reduction in population growth.

England

2020-06-03 14:46:30 UTC

In the light of demographic changes, education needs to concern itself with topics such as sustainable consumption, low-carbon lifestyles, reusable and renewable resources etc.

2020-06-04 11:35:45 UTC

United kingdom
Cities in affluent UK have a much higher carbon footprint than low income urban areas. Some sort of balance needs to be worked out. Education must teach about climate change, carbon emissions etc so science were to be taught throughout a pupil's years of education.:

Portugal

2020-06-05 10:49:25 UTC

Discussions about consumption habits in school and how their buying habits effect global issues to be included in primary education.
Recycling and plastic pollution is already discussed well here, but no conversations currently exist on brands and their ethics towards the planet.

UK perspective - challenges to a sustainable future. Need stronger leadership - orgs are still producing non recyclable materials and this should be out lawed. Culture and poverty also contribute - consider the waste dumps in Mumbai and Delhi oil spillages in Russia and deforestation in South America. Governments need to agree with scientists not see them as a threat - there is only so much an individual can do to learn, implement and promote footprint reduction.

2020-06-05 14:05:21 UTC

UK

2020-06-05 15:20:10 UTC

(B)
I think the education system should begin to think about how we can teach children how to become more sustainable. If we are concerning ourselves with the amount of consumption per person instead of population then we need to focus on reducing our carbon footprints and living a simpler life. This I feel will be a very big change for certain countries compared to others.

UK

emmaj18 — 2020-06-07 15:31:06 UTC

Satterthwaite’s quote "It is not the number of people on the planet that is the issue – but the number of consumers and the scale and nature of their consumption," is the key to finding a solution which can be reasonably attended to through education in the UK.

We (both teachers and pupils) need to develop a greater awareness of the impact of over-consumption of resources, wastefulness and encourage our children to look outwards at global environmental issues and possible solutions.

Schools must provide better examples of how we can adapt our lifestyle and reduce our impact on the environment. One solution could come through the design of school buildings themselves. Why are so many schools still running on oil heating? Initiatives should be put in place to find renewable solutions e.g. solar power, air/ground source heat pumps. Children should spend time growing their own food, collecting rainwater to water plants, recycling and reusing rubbish. Showing children the way, rather than telling them, is far more effective.

UK b

2020-06-07 18:05:26 UTC

1.Both articles speak of population growth rates and how the empowerment and equality of women globally, can improve population stability.
2.At the heart of any change is education (that can encourage and provide family planning and independence for women)and investment regarding sustainability, reduced consumerism and world governments accountability to its people and biosphere .
3. Migration would not be a strain on cities and richer countries if pollution and extreme weather caused by climate change wasn't causing people to migrate from there countries/home to seek employment and shelter.

Myanmar

contactalilane — 2020-06-11 14:15:44 UTC

Education and Demographics

2020-06-11 21:18:44 UTC

It is vital to educate our children about incremental life-style changes which will become a norm fro them in their adult life and help make living on Earth sustainable for the human beings.

UK )b

2020-06-12 11:45:24 UTC

1. Can reasonably attend to are the key words here and therefore education must be tailored to societal well-being globally: understanding and tolerance of others in relation to the issues of CO2 emissions and sustainable living. Schools cannot do this alone – they need support of local communities and councils and education must lead by challenging government policy. For example – many schools are Victorian buildings which are difficult to heat and maintain. Children arrive at school on diesel buses.

2. Family education should be included in the delivery, so that we are addressing society not just students.

3. Technology should be used for processes, informing and reporting as much as possible. The teaching of technology in a broader sense should be delivered, but students should understand WHY they are learning these skills and where the skills can take them, not in terms of specific jobs, as we don’t know what these jobs may be, but in terms of creativity and innovation.

4. Knowledge disseminated to children should “join-up” in this wider global sustainability context. What are we learning and why? Why do people live in different ways in different contexts historically and how should they live now?

5. Critical thinking, independent learning, cognitive development and emotional literacy must be a focus on order that as students mature they have the skills to address the futuristic uncertainties and that they are equipped for employment that will benefit all. For example, they must be able to challenge statistics, not make assumptions and be able to think and act beyond the short-term political landscapes.

Women empowerment

2020-06-12 16:07:00 UTC

I was moved reading that in the poorest countries most women didn't want the last child but they didn't have the means to prevent pregnancy. Well this is such a complicated matter. If only in those countries women would be given the rights to make choices, I think some issues could be changed.

Australia

2020-06-13 04:40:43 UTC

The demography of Australia covers basic statistics, most populous cities, ethnicity and religion. The population of Australia is estimated to be 25,737,300 as of 11 June 2020. Australia is the 52nd most populous country in the world and the most populous Oceanian country. Its population is concentrated mainly in urban areas and is expected to exceed 28 million by 2030.

Australia's population has grown from an estimated population of between 300,000 and 1,000,000 at the time of British settlement in 1788 due to numerous wave of immigration during the period since. Also due to immigration from other continents, the European component's share of the population is declining as a percentage.

UK

2020-06-14 13:38:33 UTC

It is more important now than ever to educate children in ways to sustain our planet. In light of recent events, the current education system could have a much need change: move away from the capitalist model to make sure that we have a planet to live on.

Global solutions

2020-06-15 14:09:57 UTC

The change in lifestyle and awareness of its consequences is something that needs to be addressed in education. Current society is based on growth which ultimately means having more and more, in other words greed. And this seems the norm, the more you have the more you want. This needs addressing in education, a simple example could be clothing. People seem to be happy by continuously buying clothes and keeping up with the latest fashion. If pupils had the chance to learn about the impact of something so common to them like clothes-shopping and were made aware of: a) Where these clothes are made and the impact of transport and CO2 emissions.
b) Whether having more and more clothes means happiness and well-being.
This is just a small example of, in my view, part of society's greed and obsession with growth. If we all started to consider our true needs and the implications of our lifestyle people may become more aware of sustainability.

Laura Barnett- The role of education

2020-06-16 11:19:57 UTC

It seems to me that the role of education would vary depending on the relative level of affluence in each country. In more affluent countries the emphasis should be on teaching students about sustainability and the impact their choices as consumers will have globally. In less affluent countries, focusing on education for girls and women may well enable women to have more control over their family planning and give them the ability to limit their family to the size that is appropriate for their individual circumstances.

Education

2020-06-17 11:40:40 UTC

I think that when looking what education needed to concern itself with when looking at the global demographic changes it population growth and how this will affect area like the environment, local communities, resources, poverty and technological advances. With a growing population come more strain of what the environment not only can provide but also how much damage it can sustain before it starts to die. If resources are stained then this will have a massive impact on local communities and finances which could increase the number of people living in poverty. Technological advances could help to manage a number of these factors but it could also put people out of work.

UK SECTION B

2020-06-17 17:41:42 UTC

During this unprecedented time during the COVID-19 pandemic, the air pollution in the UK has been noted to have dramatically changed during the course of the UK Government's lockdown control measures. The education system needs to assist children in understanding the causes and effects of air pollution, and thus various ways in which lifestyle alterations can benefit this issue. This pandemic has drawn significant attention to the problem, and highlighted its importance to the education section in continuing this positive change.

UK

2020-06-18 21:13:25 UTC

https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/10-barriers-to-education-around-the-world-2/

UK

lampheefamily — 2020-06-21 00:32:23 UTC

Global concerns
The education of girls - the longer they stay in education, the later they tend to start having children and the better their prospects in employment. The article says that empowering women, particularly in these areas, would help reduce the fertility rate.

UK

2020-06-22 07:43:05 UTC

Terrifying report. 1) We do not need all this stuff! Students do not need a new set of clothes every weekend. We need to change our own behaviors and then inform and change our students behaviors. 2) Women need the right to not have children as much as the right to have a child. Hearing that in Africa most women did not want their last child was heart rendering, the right of a woman should go both ways to have and not to have should have equity of need and use.

UK

2020-06-25 14:21:50 UTC

This was an insightful report and I was fascinated by the role women potentially have to play in creating a future for the earth, since they currently have less access to education globally and their contribution is therefore largely unfelt. Girls, especially at Secondary level, need to be encouraged to explore and discover their abilities. I have found that they tend to set their sights too low. Esteem is a big issue at this stage of development. Imagine what it is like in countries where poverty, child marriages and abuse pose more menacing threats.

Key Issues - UK

2020-06-27 13:12:18 UTC

Access to education for secondary aged refugees.

Revising the way we consume resources.

UK - England

2020-06-27 16:35:36 UTC

1. Education, globally, needs to incorporate awareness of lifestyle choices and the consequences these can have on the planet. With the likelihood of population increase and consumer demand for products, the fact that as a society we now expect instant consumer gratification (we can buy something from across the world and have it delivered the next day).
2. With population increase, there needs to be enough space in the education system for everyone. There is a demand for more teachers, but no willingness to increase their pay. There will need to be enough teachers and resources for all the students.
3. encouraging creative thinking and problem solving in students so they are aware of sustainability and how to have a more sustainable life

England

2020-06-27 19:41:07 UTC

In some areas of the country, high immigration has led to ever expanding schools and a greater need for teachers who are able to teach children with English as an additional language. Resources to do this are often stretched to the limit.

UK

2020-06-29 14:01:09 UTC

As a high-income country, it is important that we teach the value of community and the importance of environmental wellbeing. Changing the way in which we measure success and happiness is so important if we are to adapt a more sustainable lifestyle.

Educating women about their bodies & fertility

2020-06-29 14:18:37 UTC

This is going to be key to reducing the population especially in regard to the UN finding 350 million in poor countries didn’t even want their last child.

UK.

2020-06-29 14:26:33 UTC

1. Children make a huge contribution to the discussion on climate change. Their opinions need to be taken more into consideration.
2. Young people in developed lands should be given more opportunities to see how their counterparts in developing lands really live and sustain their needs not wants.
3. The current pandemic has certainly made Uk schools more aware of how much they rely on children to access technology even down to having a good electricity supply. The number of children requiring paper-based schoolwork has far outstripped the view that what they should be accessing is the internet and cloud based content. Inter-connectivity might appear to be the key to lifelong shared learning experiences but children on both sides of the divide are struggling within their own spheres to learn in a way that is accessible, non threatening, and mentally healthy. Hardly emotionally sustainable.

UK - Boost women's rights for a sustainable population.

2020-07-01 14:25:41 UTC

I found the 'How many people can our planet really support' article very interesting. Especially this bit: The UN Population Fund has calculated that 350 million women in the poorest countries did not want their last child, but did not have the means to prevent the pregnancy. If these women's needs were met, it would have a significant impact on global population trends. According to this reasoning, creating a sustainable population is as much about boosting women's rights as it is about reducing consumption of resources.

Women are often treated as second class citizens on the world stage, when really, women have the power to create global change. Education and support needs to be given to women to enable them to have as many or as little babies as they want.

Ireland

2022-08-31 08:47:11 UTC

Education should be focused on teaching people both the moral and the practical considerations of creating and maintaining sustainable systems. Throughout the last three decades there has been the approach of wishful thinking when it relates to these issues, ignoring the limitations and negative consequences that have arisen from both natural population growth and immigration. While we are encouraged to believe that we should be there to help everyone, increases in population puts further strain on the resources available and increases consumer use. As such, education should be encouraging the perspective of establishing a sustainable population with responsible consumption, while managing immigration trends more effectively, even to the point of turning away more potential immigrants to maintain that optimum system. Knowledge of the moral issues should be encouraged, but tempered with the practical awareness of the costs involved.

UK

2025-11-06 19:59:45 UTC

Personally, I believe that the education system should teach the young people more about the importance of consumption and the impacts that it has on our planet. Education should be accessible to all so that everyone will have the same opportunities.