Педагоги Иссык-Кульской и Нарынской областей повысили знания о влиянии климата на экосистемы и животный мир

Teachers in Issyk-Kul and Naryn oblasts improve knowledge about climate change impacts on ecosystems and wildlife

Specialists from the CAMP Alatoo PF organized and conducted trainings on "Climate Change Impact on Ecosystems and Migratory Mammal Species" for biology and geography teachers of schools in Ton, Ak-Suu, Jety-Oguz  districts of Issyk-Kul oblast and Naryn district of Naryn oblast. Thirty-eight teachers participated in the training.  The two-day intensive training workshops were held in Karakol and Bokonbaevo village (Issyk-Kul oblast).

The aim of the trainings was to increase teachers' knowledge and understanding of climate change and its impact on natural resources, flora and fauna of Kyrgyzstan, and to help them how to use the material in their lessons and convey it to students in an engrossing and accessible way.

The training programme included a wide range of organically bound and complementary topics. The introductory part consisted of sessions on Education for Sustainable Development where participants considered the importance of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their reflection on economic, social and environmental activities of society. To reinforce this information, the speakers invited educators to select areas that play an important role in the economy, ecology and society, using the example of their Aiyl Aimaks.  According to the participants ethno-tourism, waste recycling and the establishment of school farms would be most interesting projects for rural communities in terms of rational use of resources and financial opportunities.

Weather and climate change, both globally and locally, were worked on by the teachers through various exercises that helped them understand the risks of climate change leading to the deterioration of ecosystems and adaptation measures. Animals, like humans, are increasingly affected by the negative impacts of the changing climate. According to the trainers the work is being done in Kyrgyzstan to improve the conservation of mammals and the provision of migration routes for them in the face of climate change. The project, implemented by the CAMP Alatoo PF, took such key migratory species as argali, ibex, maral and snow leopard under its "wing". The educators learned about the impact of climate change on mammals and human activities, and learned actions taken to protect these animals as part of the project. They also had the opportunity to develop their own strategies and measures to protect the species by participating in the game "Conservation of the snow leopard and its habitat".

"Group work, individual assignments, active discussions and high motivation brought good results to the participants of our trainings," said Salamat Jumabaeva, the CAMP Alatoo PF Project Coordinator.

At the end of the training, the teachers, together with the trainers, brainstormed on the most interesting topics of the lessons, where they plan to use the new information and knowledge, Besides, they discussed further support from the CAMP Alatoo PF.

The trainings were conducted under the project " Climate Change Adaptation of Mammals in Central Asia", which is managed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and funded by the International Climate Initiative.