1. Climate Change Thinking Ahead to Copenhagen Thematic Group 1 st Meeting Convened by Bernard Godding Educational Centres Association

2. “With the issue of climate change becoming one of the absolute policy priorities of our time, it is our duty to help the European consumer make sustainable environmental choices.” European Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva EAEA General Assembly, Riga, December 2007

3. A Challenge for European Adult Educators Issues around consumer protection Issues around social justice Environmental imperatives

4. The Elephants in the Room Peak Oil Climate Change

5. The Effects of Climate Change Sea level change Extreme climatic events Resource scarcity including water Migration Drought and flooding Extinction of many species of plant & animal Range of climate-related illnesses

6. The Effects of Peak Oil Price inflation Potential lowering of living standards Social disruption Reduction in agricultural output

7. United Nations Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen 7-18 December 2009 “The scale of the potential humanitarian challenge presented by climate change in the future is huge. This is a defining moment to ensure that the challenge is not insurmountable and human suffering is minimized.” John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs

8. Decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2005-2014 “Through education and lifelong learning we can achieve lifestyles based on economic and social justice, food security, ecological integrity, sustainable livelihoods, respect for all life forms and strong values that foster social cohesion, democracy and collective action.” Bonn Declaration 2009

9. The Role of Education Needs Led Agenda Climate Change – Rising sea levels – Extreme weather What do individuals and communities need? – Basic Awareness – Personal safety i.e. Flooding – Food security – Citizen empowerment Peak Oil Educational Responses Citizenship education Basic science Access to democratic process Political education Green skills Adaptive lifestyles Healthy living strategies

10. Educational Centres Associaton’s Response Engagement of potential learners –Awareness raising

11. The Challenges Ahead Developing:- Education relevant to different groups –Increasing understanding –Building capacity Empowerment –Ability to act pro-environmentally