On June 28th, the Wisconsin International Resource Consortium (WIRC), part of the International Division at UW–Madison, hosted a virtual workshop titled “Climate Optimism – Finding Creative Solutions and Making Positive Impacts” for K-12 educators. The day-long workshop equipped educators with new approaches to teaching climate change, fostering hope and action rather than despair.
Attendees received new perspectives, success stories, and strategies to integrate climate optimism beyond science lessons. From human rights and protecting communities to ensuring habitat diversity and supporting vulnerable farmers, the topics explored were both inspiring and informative.
Presenters at the workshop spanned various fields and academic disciplines. Sumudu Anopama Atapattu teaches in the areas of climate change and human rights at UW-Law School. Her research examines the link between human rights and the environment, especially climate change, climate migration and small island states. After her presentation at the workshop, a fifth-grade teacher asked if there was one most important climate change cause that kids should understand.
“What we need to understand is that virtually everything we do is contributing to it,” she answered. “So it can be daunting. But I think we need to, as educators, distill this into bite-sized lessons for kids so that it does not become overwhelming. I teach law students and it even becomes overwhelming to them too. We should be simplifying it for them while, at the same time, not diluting the importance of taking action.”
Li-Ching Ho, a professor of social studies education at UW–Madison, explored the power of hope in driving action. In classifying hope into two categories – “pragmatic” and “visionary” – she aimed to provide educators with resources and case studies to ignite action in their students.
More real-world inspiration came from Heidi Kühn, founder of Roots of Peace, a non-profit that supports the world’s most vulnerable farmers and traders and transforms battlefields of war into thriving agricultural farmlands. When asked about advice for students with climate dreams, Kühn urged them to “believe in your dreams – go out the door. You have to take those footsteps to go out the door, have the courage to knock on doors of prominent people and not be afraid to ask for a meeting.” Her message resonated with the educators, highlighting the significance of taking the first steps, no matter how small.
The workshop concluded with a thought-provoking message from Fred Carter. As the co-founder of Black Oaks Center, a non-profit coalition focused on sustainable agriculture, environmental justice, and community empowerment, he emphasized the importance of present-moment awareness. He challenged the attendees to see the present as the answer to climate change.
“Every time we improve the efficiency of anything, we tend to consume more,” he explained. “We are burning more fossil fuels than we ever have, even though we’ve had 40 years of climate change discussions, marching and protesting. Nothing has changed. So without learning more about ourselves, the internal designer, we will probably keep replicating our past. Only by living in the present can we change the future.”
This powerful workshop served as a launchpad for K-12 educators, supplying them with tools and inspiration to cultivate a new generation of climate-conscious changemakers.
Story by: Kayla Daum