TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment announced Wednesday the launch of an online climate change course designed specifically for junior high school students.
The ministry currently runs a similar training program for university students, cultivating around 3,500 participants annually. The new junior high course aims to bring climate education to younger learners, helping embed climate awareness early, according to CNA.
The free course features multiple speakers who approach climate change from different perspectives. It aims to encourage students to move from passive awareness to active engagement with climate issues.
Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming (彭啟明) said the initiative responds to the ministry’s experience hosting public forums and lectures. Junior high school students frequently attended and asked questions, which Peng said highlights demand for resources tailored to this age group.
The course includes interactive features such as pop-up quizzes and a no-fast-forward policy for first-time viewers. To complete the program, students must watch seven videos, score at least 70% on quizzes, and submit a report showcasing their learning.
The Ministry of Environment will verify submissions within two weeks. Eligible participants will then receive an e-certificate, which the ministry said can enrich students’ academic portfolios.
Peng noted that current third-year junior high school students will be 42 years old by 2050, when they will form the backbone of society. He said the online course aims to provide students with essential skills for the future while helping them explore potential personal interests or career directions.
The course comes at a time when climate change is more than a distant concept. Taiwan has seen record-breaking summer temperatures and increasingly severe rainfall events in recent years, according to the Taiwan Climate Change Projection Information and Adaptation Knowledge Platform.
Analysis of century-long temperature data from local meteorological stations shows that average, maximum, and minimum temperatures have steadily risen over the past 100 years. The trend has accelerated over the past 30 years, highlighting the intensifying impact of climate change.
