Climate change and

education in Fiji

Tiina Jaatinen

University of Oulu,

Finland

OECD:

Environmental challenges as one global trend affecting education

”this is a part of the future world that young people will grow up in, and in some locations the impact on educational infrastructure will be very direct.

Education plays a key role in shaping the attitudes that can make a difference, while some practices linked to schooling are part of the problem.”

OECD:

Global warming increases risks for schools in e.g. low lying areas

How should such risks be addressed

by international policy?

By teachers and students affected?

UNU:

Knowledge and expertise about adaptation at the international level

Higher education bridging

gap

Grassroot level knowledge about adaptation in the developing world

UNU:

”The Role of Higher Education in Adapting to Climate Chane” conferences in Asia-Pacific for universities, research org., international org. and intergovernmental org.

A regional network to provide comprehensive postgraduate educational programme

Brainstorm of innovative ideas for a regional curricula, joint research projects, resourse sharing and future action plans

Climate change, adaptation and

role of education in Fijian unpublished study by Tiina Jaatinen

• Educators’ conceptions in the frontline

• Data: 8 interviews + additional data from Ministry of Environment and secondary informants

• Conducted in June 2010

• Phenomenography as a method of analysis

Climate change impacts

by interviewees

Physical• Floods, storms, tsunami warnings, soil erosion, coral bleaching, heat,

a change in seasons, reduction of biodiversity, coastal erosion and sea level rise

Psychological• Fear, stress, confusion, concern, determination

Cultural• Loss of connection to land - loss of culture

• ”quick-fix” culture and relaxed way of life contributing to climate changes

resource scarcity affects families and provokes criminality

Human impact: deforestation, industrialism, excessive agriculture, materialism and greediness

Climate change impacts by IPCC 2007 on small islands

especially vulnerable to effects of climate change• Limited size, proneness to natural hazards, low adaptive

capacity

Sea level rise -> floods, storm surges, erosion, coastal hazards • threaten infrastructure, settlements and facilities along the

coast

• >50 % population and infrastructure on shore (airports, roads, cities)

• reduction in island size OR resilience

Climate change impacts by IPCC 2007 on small islands

Water resources: reduced rainfall in summer, increased rainfall in winter

Coral reefs, fisheries and marine based resources affected

Subsistence and commercial agriculture

Non-indigenous invasive species

Adaptation responses of forests

Tourism

Human health

Adaptation by interviewees

Capacity to cope with occurring changes and a shared responsibility• traditional ways of living, protection of biodiversity,

resource management, longlasting process, sustainable culture

Program for adaptation

Through encouragement not threatening

Migration: inland and overseas

Role of education important

Modification of value system

Adaptation by UNU

How we adapt and the solutions we create to overcome climate change impacts must be

• Developed locally

• Supported by regional and global knowledge and expertise

Local capacity development is essential

Role of Education

”Bring awareness”

• Workshops

• Environment week

• School assemblies

• Guest speakers

• Training programme for teachers

• Experiential methods and arts in education

Role of Education

”Take initiative”

• Adopt a Habitat & Eco camps Läje Rotuma Initiative

• Green school campus Educational Foundation for Children in Fiji

• Environment committees

• Network for teachers Live and Learn

• Community consultation workshops

Role of Education

”Make it nationwide”• Ministry of Education

• Ministry of Environment

• Ministry of Fijian Affairs and Provincial Development

• Ministry of Health

• Integrated approach program for rural development for NGOs and the government

BUT

• Village based activity

• Local problems - local solutions

• Training on basic scientific research

Role of Education

”Develop curriculum”

• Environmental education a subject

OR

a cross-curricula theme?

• Regional curriculum in Pacific?

- medium of instruction English

Role of Education

”Develop resources and skills”

• Boarding facilities in schools

• Educational material on environment

• English

• Facilitation skills

• Lifeskills (teamwork, coordination, public speaking, creativity)

Valuesystem modification

NEW KNOWLEDGE

OPINIONS

ATTITUDES

VALUES

BEHAVIOUR AND DECISIONS

References

OECD: http://puck.sourceoecd.org/vl=6465427/cl=13/nw=1/rpsv/trendsshapingeducation2008/index.htm

UNU: http://update.unuhq.info/2009/06/30/the-role-of-education-

in-adaptation

IPCC: Mimura, N., L. Nurse, R.F. McLean, J. agard, L.

Briguglio, P. Lefale, R. Payet and G. sem, 2007: Small islands. Climate change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working group II to the Fourth Assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson, eds., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 687-716.

References:

Palviainen, S. 2004. Uusi sopimuksellisuus ympäristöpolitiikan välineenä.

Joensuun yliopiston yhteiskuntatieteellisiä julkaisuja no 70. Viewed from:

http://epublications.uef.fi/pub/urn_isbn_952-458-507-3/urn_isbn_952-458-507-3.pdf