M-learning Saving the Planet from Climate Change

The draft Paris climate change agreement emphasizes* the role of education and training in achieving a reduction in carbon emissions. One way to do this is with the provision of education and training, via the Internet, particularly to developing nations, so that government administrators and those who have to implement carbon reduction strategies in industry know how to do it.

Developed nations can assist by providing course materials free on-line. An example, is "ICT Sustainability: Assessment and Strategies for a Low Carbon Future". The Australian Computer Society commissioned me to write this course in 2008. It has been run by the Australian National University for seven years. The course materials are upgraded each year and made available under an open access license, so any institution is free to use it world wide. For 2016 the course is being upgraded to be delivered using low cost mobile devices in developing nations.

Notes:

* ICT Sustainability: Assessment and Strategies for a Low Carbon Future, course book: http://www.tomw.net.au/ict_sustainability/introduction.shtml

* Presentation about the course: http://tomw.net.au/technology/it/evolving_international_online_course/

* "Education" is mentioned four times and "training" six, in the draft COP21 agreement:

Pp15: Affirming the importance of education, training, public awareness, public participation and public access to information and cooperation at all levels on the matters addressed in this Agreement, and recognizing the importance of engagements of all levels of government and various actors, in accordance with respective national legislations of Parties, in addressing climate change,

Article 8 ( CAPACITY - BUILDING )
1. Capacity-building under this Agreement should enhance the capacity and ability of [countries] [developing country Parties, in particular countries with the least capacity, such as LDCs and SIDS and African countries [,in accordance with the principles and provisions of the Convention]] to take effective climate change action, including, inter alia, to implement adaptation and mitigation actions, and facilitate technology development, dissemination and deployment, access to climate finance, relevant aspects of education, training and public awareness, and the transparent, timely and accurate communication of information.

Article 8 bis: Parties shall cooperate in taking measures, as appropriate, to enhance climate change education, training, public awareness, public participation and public access to information, recognizing the importance of these steps with respect to enhancing actions under this Agreement.

94: Calls upon all Parties to ensure that education, training and public awareness, as reflected in Article 6 of the Convention and in Article 8bis of the Agreement are adequately considered in their contribution to capacity building;

95: Requests the CMA to explore ways of enhancing the implementation of training, public awareness, public participation and public access to information so as to enhance actions under this Agreement, at its first session;

97: (b) To provide relevant tools, training and assistance for meeting the provisions stipulated in Article 9 of the Agreement;