Accessibility Tools

Module 2 - Knowledge

Estimated time: 1.5 hours
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Introduction

Four young women sitting on grass in a park, studying together with a laptop and papers.

This module is called “knowledge” because knowledge and values are closely linked. Just 50 years ago, people gave little thought to the impact their behaviour could have on the climate. Today, as our attention is constantly drawn to the causes and consequences of the climate crisis, things look very different. Many people – and young people in particular, as we have seen in Module 1 – have adopted sustainability as an important personal value that influences not only their consumer behaviour, but important life decisions such as career choices.

Knowledge about the climate crisis has some peculiarities. On the one hand, information is fast-changing, so existing knowledge must be regularly updated. On the other hand, diving into facts and figures about the climate crisis can also be very depressing. Therefore, it is important to find a good balance between curiosity and interest in (often unpleasant or threatening) phenomena and self-care. Because, only then, is it possible to build enough hope, strength and knowledge to get active in the struggle for the protection of the planet and climate justice.

As a youth worker, you need knowledge about the climate crisis if you wish to address the topic with young people and to advise them on how they can act for positive change. The aim of this module is to provide support with this.


The module will address the following themes:

  • Sustainability and resource exploitation
  • Climate crisis and climate justice
  • Historical roots of the climate crisis and perpetuating factors: Industrial revolution, capitalism, colonialism & racism
  • Current challenges and some important facts
  • Towards change

References