~ Integrating environmental awareness into the curriculum ~
Environmental degradation is one of today’s most urgent challenges. Air pollution is the second leading cause of death in children under five, over 75 per cent of Earth’s land is degraded—projected to reach 95 per cent by 2050—and eight million tonnes of plastic enters oceans annually. Here, Dr Alexander Krajete, CEO and founder of holistic emissions treatment company Krajete, highlights the importance of environmental education, advocating for its inclusion in school curricula to ensure a sustainable future.
While core subjects like maths, English and science dominate the curriculum, education is also welcoming technological skills, introducing coding as early as Key Stage 2. However, environmental awareness remains sidelined, leaving today’s youth unprepared for the environmental challenges they will face.
The reality of environmental impact
Although climate change is briefly introduced in schools, topics like air pollution and its effects often receive minimal attention—despite being direct consequences of climate change. According to the World Health Organization, in 2019 alone, air pollution caused an estimated 6.7 million premature deaths. Poor air quality increases the risk of respiratory illnesses, neurological disorders like dementia and complications such as miscarriage.
Land pollution is equally dire. An estimated 80 per cent of soils contain pesticide residues, and around 400 million tonnes of hazardous waste are produced globally each year, affecting billions. China ranks highest for mismanaged plastic waste, producing nearly half of the world’s plastic and exacerbating the crisis.
Ocean pollution includes more than plastic; it encompasses acidification, eutrophication, noise pollution and chemical toxins. Since the 1960s, the ocean has lost about two per cent of its oxygen, creating around 500 “dead zones” where species struggle to survive.
The case for environmental education
Environmental knowledge is not only a need but an imperative for today’s students. In 2022, a survey from the Office for National Statistics revealed that 55 per cent of UK adults considered other priorities more pressing than climate awareness, while 21 per cent admitted to knowing little about climate change.
Whilst this is an improvement from the previous year, there is still a significant gap in awareness. It’s important to recognise that we as humans are a part of nature, not above it. There is a common but flawed belief that we can exploit nature’s resources without facing consequences. In reality, this is far from true.
Building a future of environmentally aware leaders
To ensure that today’s children—tomorrow’s doctors, teachers and leaders—can address environmental challenges, schools must incorporate comprehensive environmental studies. A curriculum covering climate literacy, pollution, biodiversity and sustainable practices can empower students to make informed choices and inspire them to protect the planet.
Environmental education is more than knowledge—it’s a path toward action. Integrating it into the curriculum isn’t just proactive; it’s an investment in a generation equipped to sustain our planet.
Real-world solutions for a sustainable future
Integrating environmental education into curricula is essential to prepare the next generation for sustainability. Given the urgency and scale of environmental issues, this topic deserves to be established as a dedicated subject in education.
To foster a cleaner future, it’s crucial that students not only learn about these issues but also see innovative solutions in action. Scientific progress shows that today’s pollutants can become tomorrow’s resources—a shift that requires both innovation and societal support.
At Krajete, we’re demonstrating this transformation through advanced adsorption, a process that converts harmful compounds like NOX into valuable resources, such as fertilisers. Additionally, our biological methanation process harnesses ancient microbes to produce methane from carbon dioxide, offering a sustainable way to upcycle emissions into energy.
This model—transforming what was once considered waste into a resource—is a compelling path forward. It’s these kinds of shifts in thinking, from science labs to classrooms, that will equip future leaders with the vision and tools needed to safeguard the planet.
To learn more about Krajete’s research and projects, visit: https://www.krajete.com/about-us/publications/
