Melissa
Dear AnnaThank you for your question and eselciaply for addressing the issue of climate change.Unfortunately the developing world will pay and is paying a much higher price in terms of the effects natural disasters that are a direct result of climate change. Much of the changes in climate are a product of decades of pollution caused by activities in the developed or industrialized countries.The future school will not only have to resist and respond to stronger natural forces (wind, water, earthquakes, etc) but also act as a shelter when necessary. In the industrial societies people take refuge inside schools and in developing nations children die inside schools. Obviously, something is not working properly.Climate change will raise the sea water level; therefore we should establish minimum distances for schools from sea or river shores. We visited a school in Myanmar last year that had to be moved 3 times away from the increasing water level in the delta. Heavy rains can cause landslides and flooding affecting structures, placing children in danger.Site selection for new schools must take into consideration such issues to guarantee the safety of students, and existing schools must reassess their situation and location in order to improve conditions.Climate change is also a product of deforestation. West Africa has a deforestation rate of 80% and the lowest record on spending for education. The environment and education are 2 of the MDGs that countries are trying to meet. But in terms of school construction, we know that a school for 100 students will required several tons of wood in which case the school itself will be increasing the problem of deforestation rather than helping to curb the activities. New technologies and construction activities must be studied and put into practice in order to allow schools to be part of the environmental as well as the educational solutions.
Melissa Dear AnnaThank you for your question and eselciaply for addressing the issue of climate change.Unfortunately the developing world will pay and is paying a much higher price in terms of the effects natural disasters that are a direct result of climate change. Much of the changes in climate are a product of decades of pollution caused by activities in the developed or industrialized countries.The future school will not only have to resist and respond to stronger natural forces (wind, water, earthquakes, etc) but also act as a shelter when necessary. In the industrial societies people take refuge inside schools and in developing nations children die inside schools. Obviously, something is not working properly.Climate change will raise the sea water level; therefore we should establish minimum distances for schools from sea or river shores. We visited a school in Myanmar last year that had to be moved 3 times away from the increasing water level in the delta. Heavy rains can cause landslides and flooding affecting structures, placing children in danger.Site selection for new schools must take into consideration such issues to guarantee the safety of students, and existing schools must reassess their situation and location in order to improve conditions.Climate change is also a product of deforestation. West Africa has a deforestation rate of 80% and the lowest record on spending for education. The environment and education are 2 of the MDGs that countries are trying to meet. But in terms of school construction, we know that a school for 100 students will required several tons of wood in which case the school itself will be increasing the problem of deforestation rather than helping to curb the activities. New technologies and construction activities must be studied and put into practice in order to allow schools to be part of the environmental as well as the educational solutions.