How are we performing currently?
The framework below sets out the criteria against which the current status can be assessed. Aspirational objectives are then set to encourage progress towards the vision.
The framework below sets out the criteria against which the current status can be assessed. Aspirational objectives are then set to encourage progress towards the vision.
2021 Assessment
Where are we now and what else do we need to know?
While many small initiatives are being encouraged by some institutions and many teachers and lecturers encourage students to consider the wider issues, only one school in the county is an ‘Earth Charter’ school. Education on the specific and wider issues of climate change and sustainability often rely on the dedication and additional efforts made by individual teachers and lecturers. The role of Academies and the National Curriculum are barriers to a consistent approach across the county although there are opportunities that could be progressed by the Local Education Authority such as those provided by the Young People’s Trust for the Environment and other case studies shown here.
Dorset Council’s Climate & Ecological Emergency plan included (under the ‘Making It Happen’ section) recommendations for a “Developing a comprehensive communications strategy for our approach to the climate and ecological emergency. This strategy will draw upon a variety of media and approaches to deliver key messages on climate change issues and help drive change in Dorset, with a focus on raising awareness, supporting community action, and engaging stakeholders in the decision-making”. While these recommendations could be further enhanced with some of the ideas here, the fundamental elements of this are to be welcomed. However, the key issue at the time of writing this, is when this idea will be turned into action. We would particularly welcome the bringing to life of their commitment to “build support from stakeholders and the wider public by informing and educating on the benefits and opportunities of acting on climate change and creating, maintaining, and developing partnership working on all aspects of climate change action.”
Although the intentions in BCP’s plan to hold a Citizens Assembly and introduce a ‘New Ways of Working’ were encouraging, there is little further detail on how educating their staff and the wider community would be achieved. Current reliance on, and the current lack of response to, a resident’s survey, suggests BCP needs to agree to, and implement, a strategy along the lines of that proposed by Dorset.
A recent report from the British Educational Research Association highlighted how “in relation to (environmental sustainability) policy, young people and teachers identified barriers to change being power imbalances, not being heard, lack of funding and leadership from government, public discourse which individualises environmental action, and a curriculum and assessment system which does not value (and crowds out) environmental sustainability”. Beyond some of the case studies below these issues will apply equally to Dorset.
All of this comes against the backdrop of increasing climate anxiety among young people, summarised in a Lancet report published in September 2020 which notes “Young people are agents of change, our future leaders, and most likely to succeed in improving planetary health. Thus, making investments to improve their mental health and wellbeing will provide dividends now and in the future.” We believe appropriate education, enabling them to effectively engage with the problems and solutions of environmental breakdown, are a key component part of this investment. Dorset could lead the way.
Current assessment
Having considered the current assessment documented above the report contributors have assessed the county’s current category as:
Where are we now and what else do we need to know?
While many small initiatives are being encouraged by some institutions and many teachers and lecturers encourage students to consider the wider issues, only one school in the county is an ‘Earth Charter’ school. Education on the specific and wider issues of climate change and sustainability often rely on the dedication and additional efforts made by individual teachers and lecturers. The role of Academies and the National Curriculum are barriers to a consistent approach across the county although there are opportunities that could be progressed by the Local Education Authority such as those provided by the Young People’s Trust for the Environment and other case studies shown here.
Dorset Council’s Climate & Ecological Emergency plan included (under the ‘Making It Happen’ section) recommendations for a “Developing a comprehensive communications strategy for our approach to the climate and ecological emergency. This strategy will draw upon a variety of media and approaches to deliver key messages on climate change issues and help drive change in Dorset, with a focus on raising awareness, supporting community action, and engaging stakeholders in the decision-making”. While these recommendations could be further enhanced with some of the ideas here, the fundamental elements of this are to be welcomed. However, the key issue at the time of writing this, is when this idea will be turned into action. We would particularly welcome the bringing to life of their commitment to “build support from stakeholders and the wider public by informing and educating on the benefits and opportunities of acting on climate change and creating, maintaining, and developing partnership working on all aspects of climate change action.”
Although the intentions in BCP’s plan to hold a Citizens Assembly and introduce a ‘New Ways of Working’ were encouraging, there is little further detail on how educating their staff and the wider community would be achieved. Current reliance on, and the current lack of response to, a resident’s survey, suggests BCP needs to agree to, and implement, a strategy along the lines of that proposed by Dorset.
A recent report from the British Educational Research Association highlighted how “in relation to (environmental sustainability) policy, young people and teachers identified barriers to change being power imbalances, not being heard, lack of funding and leadership from government, public discourse which individualises environmental action, and a curriculum and assessment system which does not value (and crowds out) environmental sustainability”. Beyond some of the case studies below these issues will apply equally to Dorset.
All of this comes against the backdrop of increasing climate anxiety among young people, summarised in a Lancet report published in September 2020 which notes “Young people are agents of change, our future leaders, and most likely to succeed in improving planetary health. Thus, making investments to improve their mental health and wellbeing will provide dividends now and in the future.” We believe appropriate education, enabling them to effectively engage with the problems and solutions of environmental breakdown, are a key component part of this investment. Dorset could lead the way.
Current assessment
Having considered the current assessment documented above the report contributors have assessed the county’s current category as:
