Fundação 1Bi brings education to the center of the climate debate during São Paulo Climate Week

On Tuesday (4), during São Paulo Climate Week, Fundação 1Bi hosted the discussion “Education in Times of Climate Crisis: innovation, collaboration and continuity of learning,” bringing together experts to discuss one of today’s most urgent challenges: how to guarantee the right to education in the face of the impacts of climate change.

Extreme events such as floods, heat waves and prolonged droughts are already affecting the routines of school communities and posing a new challenge for Brazilian education: how can we ensure continuity of learning in times of crisis?

The discussion gained even greater relevance in light of recent events in the country, such as the historic floods that hit Rio Grande do Sul in 2024. The tragedy affected thousands of people and disrupted the routines of students and schools, highlighting the role of educational institutions not only as spaces for learning, but also as points of protection, support and community rebuilding.

Moderated by Bianca Silva, Innovation Manager at Fundação 1Bi, the panel brought together different perspectives on possible ways to bring education and climate closer together. The discussions underscored the need to turn commitments into concrete actions by combining public policies, teacher training and strategies adapted to the realities of each territory.

“Schools are crucial to the functioning of society,” said Marcella Coelho, Board Member of Fundação 1Bi, sharing reflections on the impacts of extreme climate events and the importance of viewing education as an essential part of the response to crises.

For Mateus Fernandes, of InfoPerifa, although environmental education has advanced in Brazilian legislation, there is still a gap between the mandatory nature of the topic and its implementation in schools. According to him, it is necessary to create monitoring mechanisms and strategies that take different local contexts into account so that this agenda becomes an effective part of educational practice.

The role of teachers was also at the center of the conversation. Mariana de Paula, of Instituto Decodifica, emphasized that preparing educators to deal with the impacts of climate crises is a fundamental step in this process. In her view, teacher training must consider not only knowledge about the topic, but also the ability to support students in situations of vulnerability, changes in their surroundings and the emotional impacts caused by extreme events.

Mahryan Sampaio, of Instituto Perifa Sustentável, emphasized the importance of turning the discussion about climate and education into a structured agenda within education systems. According to her, states and municipalities need to make progress in creating plans and strategies that integrate the climate agenda into educational planning, ensuring continuity and coordination of actions.

The discussion reinforces an agenda that also guides Fundação 1Bi’s work: using social technologies as allies to strengthen educators and expand access to resources that support learning in different contexts. Through AprendiZAP, 1Bi offers public-school teachers free content aligned with the BNCC, teaching materials and digital tools that support their daily work.

In a scenario in which educational challenges are becoming increasingly complex, addressing the climate crisis also means strengthening those who work in schools every day.

Ensuring continuity of learning means ensuring that students have the conditions to build a future with more opportunities, even in the face of the changes already taking place.