Education for Sustainable Development and the Urgency of Climate Change Education

Abstract

The issue of climate change and sustainable development is a global challenge that demands the strategic role of education in shaping a knowledgeable, critical, and responsible generation. This article discusses the integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Climate Change Education (CCE) through a qualitative approach based on literature study. The analysis was conducted by reviewing the current literature covering theories, practices, and educational policies related to sustainability and climate change. The results of the study show that ESD contributes to the formation of sustainability competencies, systemic thinking skills, and strengthening the capacity of teachers as agents of transformation. Meanwhile, CCE emphasizes the importance of scientific and media literacy to counter climate disinformation, while encouraging mitigation and adaptation actions at the local and global levels. The integration of these two approaches not only strengthens ecological awareness, but also supports the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially in the aspects of education (SDG 4) and climate action (SDG 13). Thus, sustainability-based education and climate change should not be seen as an add-on, but rather as the core of the 21st century education system.