Extreme weather conditions are no longer a prediction for the future; they have become part of the present. For Edson Grandisoli, director of Reconectta and the Schools for Climate Movement, scientific advances in recent years make it clear that climate change is underway and is a direct result of human activities.

"Climate science has come a long way in the last five to ten years. What was once uncertain or lacked sufficient data to support discussions is now widely proven. We already know, with more than 99.9% certainty, that climate change is happening and that it is directly linked to human activity," said Grandisoli.

The expert warned that the warming of the planet’s surface, atmosphere, and oceans has been causing extreme weather events with greater frequency and intensity. “Unfortunately, this is our new reality, and we need to face it with a positive, solution-oriented mindset, despite the challenges,” added Grandisoli during his appearance on the episode “How Does the Climate Crisis Affect Education?” of theBett Connection.

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Climate Education: A Path to Action

Given this scenario, climate education emerges as an essential tool for fostering citizens committed to mitigating environmental impacts. However, Grandisoli points out that the concept is still in its early stages in Brazil.

"Climate education—or climate-focused environmental education, as we're starting to call it here in Brazil—is still a relatively new concept in terms of its definition, methodologies, and guidelines. But it's essential that it have some well-defined pillars," he explained.

Among these pillars, he highlighted the importance of basing our work on climate science, understanding local realities, and promoting concrete actions within schools. “It’s not enough just to know the data; we need to look at our local area, our community, and understand how we can take action. There are many ways to do this, from creating vegetable gardens and using clean energy to calculating the school’s carbon footprint,” he explained.

Grandisoli also emphasized the importance of the history of environmental education in Brazil and Latin America, where the topic has been addressed for decades. “We have a 50- to 60-year tradition of environmental education, with national laws and policies. That’s why we still use both terms: climate education and climate-focused environmental education. The first document containing guidelines on this topic, for example, bears that name to highlight our history,” he noted.

Challenges for Implementation in Schools

Despite the urgency of the issue, bringing climate education into schools still faces challenges. The first of these, according to Grandisoli, is ensuring high-quality training for teachers.

"We need to provide training so that educators feel prepared to address this issue. Furthermore, it is essential that climate education not be treated as an isolated topic, but rather be integrated into various components of the curriculum," he argued.

He emphasized that, because it is a complex topic, teaching about climate change cannot be limited to the subjects of biology, geography, and science. “The subject should span different areas of knowledge and also involve general education teachers in early childhood education and elementary school. They play an important role in raising students’ awareness and developing solutions,” he said.

Grandisoli stated that, rather than being merely an academic debate, climate education must lead to action. "Our goal is for teachers and students to develop concrete initiatives in their schools and communities. We need to turn knowledge into action and prepare future generations to face the climate challenges that are already upon us."

See also:

• "Learning means allowing yourself to make mistakes," says Professor Edu Valladares, who proposes a new perspective on vulnerability and learning
• Beyond the Hype: How Technology Can Make a Difference in Education
• What You'll Find at the Administrators' Forum at Bett Brasil 2025

The Emotional Impact of Climate Change

In addition to its environmental consequences, the climate crisis has had a significant emotional impact, especially among young people. The rise in climate anxiety, or eco-anxiety, has been a growing concern.

"The way climate change has been communicated—both in the media and by scientists—is realistic because it presents concrete data. But at the same time, it ends up sounding catastrophic. People talk about the melting of the polar ice caps, rising sea levels, hurricanes, and heat waves, like the one we’re experiencing in Brazil. All of this is true, but people also need to know that solutions already exist,” Grandisoli emphasized.

However, the implementation of these solutions still faces structural and political barriers. “If solutions already exist, why are we still in this situation? Because the adoption and implementation of these solutions depend on a massive movement by society and decision-makers. Today, the climate crisis is much more of a political and diplomatic problem. We, as citizens, need to mobilize and pressure our leaders to adopt these measures,” he emphasized.

According to Grandisoli, the path to change involves a global cultural transformation. “We’re talking about moving away from oil, rethinking consumption, and managing our waste more responsibly. This is no small task, but it has to happen,” he said.

To that end, he echoes a sentiment expressed by the writer Ariano Suassuna: “We have to be realistic and hopeful. The problem is global and widely recognized by science and much of humanity, but the solutions already exist. We need to demand that they be implemented and do our part as citizens wherever we are,” he concludes.

At Bett Brasil 2025, Grandisoli is one of the guest speakers invited to participate in the panel “From Local to Global: Education and ESG as Strategies for a Sustainable World.” He will join Thaís Brianezi, a professor at the School of Communications and Arts at the University of São Paulo (USP), to discuss the role of education in shaping conscientious citizens and in implementing sustainable strategies in schools and organizations.

In addition to YouTube,Conexão Bettis also available on major audio platforms, such asSpotify,Deezer,Apple Podcasts,Amazon Music, andGoogle Podcasts, among others, as well as on theEducador21 website.

The talk show is yet another forum for dialogue at Bett Brasil, featuring various experts who offer a different perspective on the most relevant and current topics in the education sector. Turn on notifications on your favorite platform to be notified whenever a new episode is available.

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