Eco-social justice

In Pakistan, the air we breathe and the land we stand on are under threat and the gap between the privileged and the marginalised grows wider every day. However, our schools remain silent, failing to teach children how these two crises – environmental collapse and social inequality – are closely linked and impact their future. As climate change gains momentum and social injustices heighten, we must reform our education system to include eco-social justice education – a revolutionary approach that synthesises environmental sustainable management with social equity. Our children are growing up in a world where 33 million Pakistanis were displaced by floods in 2022 and where the marginalised – mainly women, children, and minorities – suffer the most from environmental and social vulnerabilities.

Currently, textbooks largely ignore these realities. They promote outdated narratives, fail to contextualise Pakistan’s socio-environmental challenges, and miss the opportunity to instill a sense of responsibility and activism in our youth. Eco-social justice education can bridge this gap. Integrating lessons on climate justice, sustainable development, and equity, students can learn to connect local realities with global challenges. This prepares students to stirve for sustainable, equitable communities.

Muhammad Shahjahan Memon

Islamabad