Youth and Climate Education: How Students Are Becoming Agents of Change

From floods to droughts, the effects of climate change are already being felt across Brazil—especially in the country’s most vulnerable regions, including the Northeast. But in the face of these challenges, a powerful force is rising: young people. With access to the right knowledge and tools, students are becoming active voices in the fight for environmental justice and sustainability.

At G&N Foundation, we believe that preparing students to face environmental challenges is not only urgent—it’s empowering. When students understand the issues, they become part of the solution.

Why Climate Education Matters

Climate change is not a distant threat—it’s a present reality. In 2024 alone, extreme weather events disrupted the schooling of over a million children in Brazil, with marginalized communities bearing the brunt of the impact.

By integrating climate education into schools, we help students:

• Understand the science behind environmental issues

• Recognize how climate change affects their own lives and communities

• Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills

• Build a sense of responsibility and agency

This isn’t just about creating future scientists or policymakers—it’s about building informed, resilient citizens who care for their environment and their community.

The Role of Schools in Sustainability

Schools are more than places of academic instruction—they are key platforms for social transformation. By adopting environmentally conscious practices, schools can become living examples of sustainability.

Effective approaches include:

• School gardens and composting projects

• Lessons on biodiversity, water conservation, and energy use

• Recycling campaigns led by students

• Community clean-up events

• Partnerships with local environmental organizations
  

These activities are especially powerful in public schools where students face daily environmental risks like unsafe water, deforestation, or poor sanitation.

Youth as Leaders, Not Just Learners

In many communities, students are already leading. From planting trees to advocating for green policies in their neighborhoods, young people are showing that age is no barrier to impact. What they need is support: teachers who listen, schools that empower, and foundations that invest.

By supporting youth-led sustainability projects and environmental education, we give students more than information—we give them voice, direction, and purpose.

How G&N Foundation Is Involved

Our work at G&N is rooted in the belief that education and sustainability must go hand in hand. We’re committed to:

• Supporting schools in creating safe, climate-resilient environments

• Encouraging green classroom initiatives in Northeast Brazil

• Awarding scholarships to students pursuing careers in environmental sciences or sustainable development

• Fostering community engagement through education that reaches beyond the school walls

Because students who understand their planet are more likely to protect it.

Final Thoughts

Young people are not just future leaders—they are leaders now. With the right education, they can confront climate injustice, protect their communities, and shape a better world.

Let’s continue to support classrooms that grow not only minds—but movements.