On Children’s Day 2025, national conversations around climate change and sustainability took centre stage, with experts and educators highlighting the urgent need for India to fund large-scale climate education for its nearly 25 crore (250 million) children. The growing climate crisis, coupled with rising environmental vulnerabilities, has led to increasing demands for a future-ready education system that equips young learners with the knowledge and skills to face environmental challenges.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
India is witnessing more frequent extreme-weather events — floods, heatwaves, droughts, cyclones, and ecological disruptions. Experts argue that children today will face the heaviest climate burden in the coming decades.
As a result, climate literacy is no longer optional — it is essential for:
- Building awareness and resilience among young students
- Encouraging environment-conscious behaviour from early years
- Empowering future generations with the tools to make sustainable choices
- Preparing communities to respond effectively to disasters and environmental risks
What Experts Are Saying
Child-rights organisations, environmental scientists, and education policy leaders emphasised that a nationwide climate-education programme should be integrated into early schooling. Key recommendations include:
- Developing age-appropriate climate curriculum starting from primary levels
- Making climate education a compulsory subject across state boards
- Funding teacher training and digital resources on sustainability
- Creating school-level climate action clubs and hands-on learning experiences
- Engaging parents and communities in environmental initiatives
Investment Needed for 25 Crore Children
With India home to one of the world’s largest young populations, scaling Environmental Education to reach approximately 25 crore students requires substantial and sustained funding.
Experts estimate that investment must cover:
- Curriculum development
- Teacher capacity-building
- Digital content and sustainability labs
- Disaster-preparedness education
- Localised climate modules reflecting India’s diverse ecosystems
A National Responsibility for a Safer Future
The Children’s Day 2025 discussions reinforced that climate education is not just an academic requirement — it is a national responsibility. Preparing children to understand, cope with, and mitigate climate risks is essential for India’s long-term ecological and economic stability.
As climate impacts intensify, the call for a dedicated climate-education fund is expected to grow louder, pushing policymakers to prioritise sustainability in the country’s education framework.
Conclusion
The conversations on Children’s Day 2025 have brought a powerful message into national focus — India must urgently invest in climate education for its 25 crore children. As climate-related risks intensify, the future of the country depends on how well today’s young learners understand sustainability, environmental protection, and climate resilience. Building a strong, well-funded climate curriculum is no longer an academic option but a national priority.
Empowering children with climate knowledge will not only protect them from future environmental challenges but also inspire a new generation of responsible, aware, and solution-driven citizens. The call for climate education is, therefore, a call for a safer, greener, and more sustainable India.
FAQs
1. Why was climate education emphasized on Children’s Day 2025?
Ans: Experts highlighted that children will be the most affected by future climate risks, making early climate awareness essential for long-term safety and sustainability.
2. How many children in India need structured climate education?
Ans: Approximately 25 crore (250 million) children across schools in India.
3. What should climate education include?
Ans: It should cover climate science, sustainability, renewable energy, water conservation, waste management, biodiversity, disaster preparedness, and everyday eco-friendly habits.
4. Why is government funding necessary for climate education?
Ans: Funding is needed for curriculum development, teacher training, digital resources, climate labs, eco-clubs, and regional climate modules tailored to India’s diverse ecosystems.
5. How will this education benefit children?
Ans: It creates awareness, develops problem-solving skills, fosters responsibility, and prepares children to cope with natural disasters and environmental challenges.
My self Anita Sahani. I have completed my B.Com from Purbanchal College Silapathar. I am working in Dev Library as a Content Manager. A website that provides all SCERT, NCERT 3 to 12, and BA, B.com, B.Sc, and Computer Science with Post Graduate Notes & Suggestions, Novel, eBooks, Health, Finance, Biography, Quotes, Study Materials, and more.
