This ‘edu-action’ programme spreads climate change knowledge and know-how and stimulate effective citizen climate action.

It is aimed at the general public, schools, nature and conservation clubs or educational organizations, in the classroom, on campus, ‘out there’ and at home.

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The booklet shows what we can do in 12 important action areas under headings “Energy”, “Stuff”, “Life” and “Society”. It is a product of the Durban Office of the IPCC WG2 Technical Support Unit and is free to download. A checklist is included. The booklet was produced to inform eThekwini councilors and the generalpublic on personal climate action, and has been translated into isiZulu by eThekwini municipality Climate Change Department.

The What I Can Do (WICD) programme contains 24 units, that address questions such as: What is climate change? What causes global warming? Why should I care? What can I do? Videos provide information about climate change, and about the action areas covered in the booklet.

An activity guide provides ideas and instructions for around 80 hands-on activities, under the different units. Activities are suitable for different ages and nearly all school subjects. Some are immediately relevant to different parts of the school curriculum. Some are quick and easy, others more involved, others take the form of projects.

Units and session evolved over the course of several events and engagements with young people and adults, and through workshops with teachers and other educators. Some sessions are designed for a large group, such as an entire school assembly. The WICD programme is constantly evolving (mainly growing!), and currently looks like this:

MODULE A – THE PROBLEM
  • WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON? – about youth activism, a general introduction
  • WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE? – a brief overview
  • WEATHER OR CLIMATE? – the water cycle, weather, climate, paleoclimate
  • WHAT CAUSES GLOBAL WARMING? – about the greenhouse effect
  • WHERE DO GREENHOUSE GASES COME FROM? – the carbon cycle
  • WHY ARE GREENHOUSE GASES INCREASING? – about root causes
  • WHAT DOES CLIMATE CHANGE LOOK LIKE? – impacts of climate change on nature
  • WHY SHOULD I CARE? – about impacts on health wellbeing and human society

Under construction:

  • WHERE DO FOSSIL FUELS COME FROM? – about coal, gas and oil
  • WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE? – about majority views versus different kinds of denialism
  • WHAT DOES THE SCIENCE SAY ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE? – about climate modelling and the IPCC
MODULE B – SOLUTIONS
  • WHAT CAN I DO? – introduction on personal climate action and climate justice, based on the 12 sections in the What I Can Do About Climate Change booklet:
  • RENEWABLES
  • ELECTRICITY
  • TRANSPORT
  • INDUSTRY
  • WASTE

Under construction (based on other sections in the ‘What I Can Do About Climate Change’ booklet):

  • CONSTRUCTION
  • FOOD
  • WATER
  • NATURE
  • PEOPLE
  • MONEY
  • VOICE

What worked? … “the practically and relevance of the topic and how it relates to the educational space” … “activities were an eye opener” … “interactive and engaging” … “informative, lovely presentation” … “should be an ongoing initiative” – (feedback from teachers)

The first ten units have been piloted and are ready for wider implementation, and EASTER Action is busy working on a model to provide suitable outlets.

Please watch this space.