MANILA, 10 November 2021 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) highlights the importance of environmental education in strengthening climate action, in celebration of National Environmental Awareness Month this November.
 
Republic Act No. 9512 or the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008, coauthored by three-term Senator Loren Legarda, declares the month of November as Environmental Awareness Month.
 
Environmental education, according to the law, encompasses environmental concepts and principles, environmental laws, the state of international and local environment, local environmental best practices, the threats of environmental degradation and its impact on human well-being, the responsibility of the citizenry to the environment and the value of conservation, protection and rehabilitation of natural resources and the environment.
 
The law also mandates the integration of environmental education in school curricula at all levels, whether public or private, including in barangay daycare, preschool, non-formal, technical vocational, professional level, indigenous learning and out-of school youth courses or programs.
 
As the climate crisis continues to prevail, the CCC urges all agencies of government, academe, youth groups, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen information, education and communication programs, activities, and projects about the environment and the science of climate change, to bring all sectors and citizens together in protecting, restoring and enhancing our planet.
 
Aside from conventional classroom learning, the Commission encourages the public, especially the youth, to lead on spreading awareness about the state of our climate and promote simple, easy-to-do climate action, such as tree planting; waste reduction, segregation, recycling and composting; and marine and forest management and conservation.