Teaching climate change

1 September 2025

Read time: 2mins

‘Having taught climate change for over three decades I have seen the urgency of this topic increase exponentially.’

Catherine Owen

I am delighted to have worked with the GA to publish ‘Teaching Climate Change’, which I co-authored with my old friend, Andrew Taylor. I met Andy when we were both studying A level geography as teens, but whilst I pursued a route which has led to me teaching geography for over 30 years, he completed a PhD and gained experience of working with multinational companies on environmental issues, leading to his current consultancy work and role with Transylvania Executive Education.

Our shared passion for the environment and different routes in this field mean we have been able to write a book to support teachers in both understanding the processes and consequences of climate change and practically engaging students in this topics in their classrooms.

Having taught climate change for over three decades I have seen the urgency of this topic increase exponentially. The signs of a changed climate are now all around us. ‘Teaching Climate Change’ offers support and advice about teaching this topic, but also supporting our students in coping with the uncertainties they face in their future and in taking action.

Ideas for integrating climate change into the geography curriculum are provided for KS1-5, along with ideas for cross curricula learning. I hope that the book being shortlisted in the ‘curriculum improvement’ category for the Teach Awards 2025 will bring it to the attention of more teachers and school leaders, boosting engagement with the book and the issues it discusses.

My Presidential Theme for 2025/26 is ‘Geography makes a difference’. One of the ways geography can make a difference is by giving students a space to learn about and discuss issues, supporting their well being.

This is particularly important in relation to the climate crisis – geography allows us to explore the causes of this crisis and its different impacts, but also empowers us to ask questions and make choices to work towards tackling it. I hope that this book will provide practical support for teachers pursuing this goal.

Read the full list of 2025 finalists on Teachwire here.