As our English Climate Education Bill was publicised and praised by national and local media alike, MPs from across the country started paying more attention to our student-written Bill and realised that yes, we do deserve their support and our argument is serious. They took to social media and the press to officially declare their support and this is what they had to say.
Three weeks ago, we were nervously awaiting the Second Reading of our Bill. In the end, things didn’t quite go as we hoped, and our Bill wasn’t read. However, in the week following the 28th, we earned official support from representatives across the political spectrum. Here’s what some of them had to say…
Ed Miliband, shadow Secretary of State of Climate Change and Net Zero said:
“Young people are leading the way on tackling the climate emergency, and it is essential the education system matches their ambition and passion for the subject. I am proud to support the Climate Education Bill —a grassroots campaign by students and teachers across the country who are calling for change.
More focus on climate and nature in our schools and colleges will better equip young people with the knowledge and skills that we need to build a greener, fairer country.”
Nadia Whittome, Labour MP for Nottingham East, said that:
“Our education system is failing to prepare young people to face the biggest challenge of their lifetimes. The Climate Education Bill would ensure that learning about the climate and ecological crises is woven through every subject, for every student in primary and secondary school and those on vocational courses. It would also guarantee that teachers have the time and resources to integrate these issues across the curriculum, which the new data reveals they lack.”
Sir Philip Dunne, Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, added:
“In our inquiry into Green Jobs, the Environmental Audit Committee identified a significant skills gap in building an economy for net-zero. To address this growing gap, we recommended environmental sustainability be included across all primary and secondary courses delivered through the National Curriculum and across A-Level courses.
“I was therefore pleased to support the principle of the Climate Education Bill, brought forward by my EAC colleague, Nadia Whittome MP.”
Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, also remarked that:
"When the climate emergency is the greatest challenge facing us and future generations, it is vital that it has a central role in the curriculum, so I warmly welcome this Bill. We also need to teach young people about what can be done about it, not just replacing the burning of fossil fuels with renewables and energy efficiency but protecting and restoring nature as well.
"This would reconnect our children with the natural world and give them some of the knowledge and skills to repair the damage that’s been done to both the climate and the environment. This is central to the Green New Deal, which is increasingly being supported worldwide."
Matt Western, Labour MP for Warwick & Leamington via Twitter:
“Pleased to support @NadiaWhittomeMP’s campaign and proposed Bill. Very important we educate all on the ‘inconvenient truth’ of Climate Change”
Sir Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party and MP for Holborn & St. Pancras via Twitter:
“Tackling the climate crisis will protect our planet and create jobs, ensuring security and prosperity for all. Climate education in our schools is an essential part of it. Labour is proud to back @_TeachtheFuture's and @NadiaWhittomeMP's student-led Climate Education Bill.”
Olivia Blake, Labour MP for Sheffield Hallam and Shadow Minister for Climate Change via Twitter:
“Only by putting climate education on the curriculum can we ensure a democratic, just transition to #netzero that puts communities - not a handful of elites - at the centre of our response. Thank you @NadiaWhittomeMP & @_TeachtheFuture for tabling this Bill”
Of course, not every MP or representative who has supported us is listed here or has spoken publicly; Still, the numbers are rising, and we’re excited to bring as many politicians on board as possible. We know they want to protect their children and future generations; now we just need to show them that Climate Education is a step in the right direction.
We now have the official support of the Labour Party, which is a testament to the diligence of our volunteers and Nadia Whittome MP. Last month we also had the privilege to meet with Robin Walker, the Minister of School Standards, which was very constructive. Teach the Future has more political meetings lined up for the weeks to come and we intend for them to be equally as positive if not more. Things are looking up!