Document Type

Research Project

Publication Date

Fall 9-25-2025

Abstract

This policy paper explores the pressing need to equip young people in vulnerable countries with the knowledge and skills to face the climate crisis. Today’s youth, the largest generation in history, are growing up on the frontlines of climate change, often in places least prepared to respond. Yet in many national education systems, climate literacy is still absent or underdeveloped, leaving students without the tools to understand the challenges shaping their future. The paper identifies three main barriers: climate topics missing from school curricula, limited opportunities for youth to engage in decision-making, and chronic underfunding of climate education. Drawing on practical examples from Nepal, Bangladesh, and other contexts, it shows how policy reforms, community initiatives, and technology can transform education into a driver of climate resilience. Solutions discussed include integrating climate literacy into core curricula, expanding teacher training, using digital tools to reach underserved learners, and securing dedicated climate finance for education. Recommendations emphasize embedding climate education in national strategies and giving youth a real voice in shaping policy. The paper concludes that climate literacy is not a luxury, it is a right, a survival skill, and an investment in a more resilient, informed, and empowered generation.

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