Can we educate our way out of the climate crisis?
24 March 2026 - 24 March 2026
Region(s): Waikato
Type(s): presentations
The climate on Earth is changing, driven by a rapid increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This increase is a direct result of human activity, including the burning of oil, coal and gas, and the production of methane and other gases through agriculture, waste and other means. The changing climate is altering weather patterns resulting in destructive heat, fires, storms, floods and drought which are threatening people and ecosystems. Our knowledge of this is very clear, as is what we need to do about it. Yet our response so far has been completely inadequate. One response that has been woefully underplayed to date is education for climate change, both in and beyond schooling.
In this presentation, Professor Chris Eames will draw on a long career at the University of Waikato with a foundation in the sciences, an immersion in teaching and learning, a passion for a more sustainable world, and a focus on climate change education. He will discuss his experiences in undergraduate and postgraduate education, research with schools, collaboration with national and international colleagues, and work with the Organisation for Economic and Cooperative Development and the Solomon Islands government to examine the contribution climate change education should be making to the ensure a sustainable future for our future generations.
About the speaker
Professor Chris Eames is a sustainability and climate change educator in Te Kura Toi Tangata School of Education. Chris has a background in science and education and applies these two disciplines to teaching and research in schools and teacher education for a more sustainable world for everyone.
This free 45-minute public lecture will be held at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, starting at 5.45 pm. Opus Bar will be open from 5 pm.
For more information and to register, see: www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/professorial-lecture-by-professor-chris-eames-tickets-1980432970326.
Related content
See our webinar series, run in collaboration with the New Zealand Association of Science Educators (NZASE) with guest expert Professor Chris Eames:
Start by exploring our PLD article Climate change resources – planning pathways.
Agency in the Anthropocene article and presentation – provides current understanding and examples as well as exploring the PISA 2025 science framework and features Chris.
To view all of our climate change resources, visit the Climate change topic – use the filters to see resources with a secondary level focus.
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