THE DEPARTMENT of Education launched a climate change education microsite containing curated reference and supplementary learning materials to enhance the integration of climate change in the basic education curriculum.

The resources and references available in the microsite (https://www.deped.gov.ph/climate-change-education/) came from partner organizations and institutions including the Climate Change Commission, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Association, World Wildlife Fund and the Oscar M. Lopez Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation Inc.

The microsite was launched in partnership with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones lauded the initiative, citing the immediate need for proactive response to the effects of climate change.

“The urgency of protecting the environment has become much more evident. We have been surviving on a yearly basis; floods, earthquakes, storms have led to the destruction of our infrastructure, of buildings, and of course, the loss of lives,” Briones said.

The microsite is divided into four main sections — DepEd-Developed Learning Resources, References for Teachers, External Learning Resources and DepEd’s Program on Climate Change Education.

It also offers references on climate science, climate change in the Philippines, adaptation and mitigation, sample learning activities and free online courses.

The references featured in the microsite are Open Educational Resources and can be used and redistributed for free but must be properly cited. APA citations were already provided on the microsite for the convenience of its users.

To guide teachers, DepEd-DRRMS also created a manual on how to navigate the microsite, which can be accessed through bit.ly/micrositemanual.

The initiative is part of DepEd’s commitment to intensify climate literacy and support climate action in the basic education sector by honing learners and personnel.