Science, not emotion, must be at the heart of teaching climate change in schools Sustainability and environmental issues need to be taught in a rational, fact-based way which means educating teachers too 23 December 2020 • 11:30am Earth warriors: School children taking part in Climate Change protests in Westminster, March 2019 Credit: Heathcliff O' Malley The pandemic has undoubtedly hogged the limelight this year when it comes to public concern – according to YouGov data, 33 per cent of people thought that ‘the environment’ was the most important issue facing the country at the beginning of March; a figure that dipped into the 20s over the course of lockdown and currently stands at around 24 per cent. Nevertheless, the government has pledged to reach ambitious targets en route to the ultimate aim of net zero by 2050 – so does it not stand to reason that those currently in education need to be well versed in climate change and ecological education?