We are living through the greatest dual crises of our time. With a global learning crisis putting economies and lives on the line, these inequalities are being further exacerbated by the devastating effects of the climate crisis. Children and young people, especially girls, are most at risk of climate impacts, yet are simultaneously the biggest stakeholders in creating a greener, more sustainable future.
About 1 billion children — nearly half of all children in the world — live in countries at "extremely high risk" for the effects of climate change. Education gives children the knowledge to mitigate these impacts and is one of the most powerful and untapped drivers to ensure the transition to greener societies around the world. Without quality education for all, the number of deaths due to the climate will rise dramatically, communities will not adapt, and climate goals will continue to elude us. Conversely, investing seriously in transforming education systems is the greatest untapped resource in tackling the climate emergency.
We need to plan for a future where every child can continue to learn and where education helps to save the planet.
So please join OXFAM and the Global Partnership for Education for a hybrid, high-profile Ministerial event taking place in Denmark and online. On the heels of the Pre-COP Africa Summit in Kenya and ahead of COP28 hosted by the UAE. This dynamic event will bring together climate and education actors at the highest levels in a commitment to support and solve these dual challenges – the two greatest child rights crises of our time.