Are you interested in learning about how climate change is connected to ECE?
Over the past year, the Early Years Climate Action Task Force (from Capita and This is Planet Ed) held a listening tour to hear from parents, early years providers, pediatricians, researchers, and more to better understand how climate change impacts young children and their families. The conversations also explored how early years systems can promote healthy, resilient development in a changing climate. Find recordings of each of the listening sessions below.
The first listening session considered the array of effects of climate change on young children, along with reasons for the early years sector to move toward climate action. Speakers discussed how to radically rethink strategies on social policy and economic development to put children at the center, from the start.
This listening session explored the effects of climate change on children and families and considered how the health care system can promote resilience. Panelists described the effects of climate change on health care for children and families, and solutions such as mental health resources, increased social connectedness, and partnerships with community organizations, school districts, and primary care providers.
The early childhood sector brings many assets to the fight against climate change, including a deep passion for children and families, a background in advocacy, and strong community relationships. This session explored the effects of climate change on the early child care system and the ways in which the sector can lead climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Investing in early childhood not only protects young children; it can also help promote climate resilience and mitigation more broadly. This session focused on how investments in early childhood can help communities thrive in the face of climate change.
Communities across the world have already launched programs to protect young children from the impacts of climate change. This listening session explored ways that local and state climate plans are addressing the needs of young children, as well as opportunities for the future.
Parents, caregivers, and early childhood educators are crucial to ensuring that young children succeed in a changing climate. The final listening session explored ways to engage parents and early years providers in advocating for a sustainable future.
Capita and This is Planet Ed have co-convened the Early Years Climate Action Task Force to draft an Early Years Climate Action Plan, which will recommend ways the country can help young children flourish in the face of climate change. It is scheduled to be published in late 2023.
The task force is co-chaired by Diana Rauner, former First Lady of Illinois and President of Start Early, and Antwanye Ford, President and CEO, Enlightened, Inc. and Chair, District of Columbia Workforce Investment Council, and includes 19 other distinguished representatives from the education and health sectors, including elected officials, parent leaders, and early childhood advocates.
