Philippines to make climate change part of school curriculum
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 16:50:00 04/09/2008
MANILA -- The Philippine government will make climate change part of the national school curriculum, officials said Wednesday.
The Department of Education, other state agencies and the private sector will prepare lesson guides on global environmental issues for public school teachers in elementary and secondary schools.
"Our children will inherit the earth from us," said Education Secretary Jesli Lapus. "We must make sure that this inheritance is in great shape for them to cherish."
Lapus emphasized the importance of "intergovernmental cooperation" in reducing the effects of climate change.
Experts have said the Philippines will suffer from greater incidence of diseases like dengue and lower levels of fresh water due to global warming.
Last Friday in Bangkok, climate brokers from more than 160 nations agreed on a work plan for negotiations leading to a new pact on cutting greenhouse gas emissions -- blamed for the warming -- when current commitments end in 2012.
Rich and poor countries are sharply divided on how to tackle global warming, despite growing fears that rising temperatures could put millions of people at risk by the end of the century.
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