We published a chapter the new book: Higher Education Leadership for Democracy, Sustainability, and Social Justice to address the issue of generational environmental injustice

The publication "Higher Education Leadership for Democracy, Sustainability, and Social Justice" emerged from a global forum organized by the Council of Europe, the International Consortium for Higher Education, Civic Responsibility and Democracy, the Organization of American States, and the International Association of Universities at Dublin City University in June 2022. It addresses the challenges of Covid-19, which have exposed and contributed to the fragility of democracy, the deepening of extreme inequities, and the rise of populist anti-intellectualism. The book emphasizes the interconnectedness of democracy, sustainability, and social justice, asserting that higher education must not only generate knowledge but also influence individual and societal behavior. It argues that higher education institutions are uniquely positioned to understand history, drive innovation, and create a knowledge project for the broader social good. The book underscores the importance of leadership in higher education and its role in promoting democracy, sustainability, and social justice.

In Part III of the book, we contributed the chapter: Generational Environmental Justice in Climate Change and Sustainability Education.  In it, we present our experience with training programs and their impact in providing education and mentoring to the next generation of professionals in environmental medicine.  We demonstrate that these programs are important because they address a fundamental issue that is not often openly discussed: young people will bear the brunt of climate change, thus signifying a generational environmental injustice.  This unfairness must be acknowledged by earlier generations who have not done enough to prevent the upcoming calamity of climate change, knowing that it will affect future generations. We must provide young people with every tool necessary to fight this generational environmental injustice. 

Citation: Claudio L, Rodriguez-Baez R. (2023) Generational environmental justice in climate change and sustainability education. In: Higher Education Leadership for Democracy, Sustainability and Social Justice. Sjur Bergan, Ira Harkavy and Ronaldo Munck (eds) Council of Europe Higher Education, Series No. 26. ISBN 978-92-871-9373-5

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