Changing Hearts and Habits: Climate Action Education with Koen Timmers
We The Children - Kids Talk Climate SolutionsShow Notes
Hi everyone, and welcome back to Season Three of We the Children! This season, we're meeting even more incredible change-makers—from scientists to young climate heroes—who will inspire us with their amazing stories and big ideas. Plus, Zach has an exciting surprise: a brand-new 'Climate Command Center,' a hub of imagination and adventure ready to whisk Zach and Clare around the world as they explore how we can all make a difference for our planet.
Our first guest of the season is making a global impact of his own. Koen Timmers is a Belgian environmentalist and educator who is raising the bar on climate education internationally. He’s the founder of the Kakuma Project, which has provided free, quality education to thousands of refugees since 2015, and the Climate Action Project, which has connected over 5 million students across 168 countries since 2017.
Koen is passionate about how technology and collaboration can enhance learning, and today, he shares why taking action is just as important as learning the facts. So buckle up! It’s time to join Zach in the Climate Command Center and blast off to Belgium to meet Koen Timmers.
Highlights: Koen Timmers' journey to climate advocacy (03:54) Climate Action Education: A New Approach (06:43) Combining academics and action in climate education (11:45) "Gamifying" education with technology (12:57) Examples of students' climate action projects (15:49) What does it mean to be a global citizen? (21:48) Take action with Ridwell (25:47)
Links: We the Children Educator's Toolkit Koen Timmers Website EarthProject App Climate Action Project The Kakuma Project Lego's Build the Change Book: Game Changer by Koen Timmers Ridwell The Earth Prize 2024 Winners
Subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/wethechildrenpodcast) and Instagram (@we_the_children_podcast). Also, please visit our website (wethechildrenpodcast.com) and leave us a voice message or email if you want to stay in touch or engage with episode questions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions
What if climate solutions didn’t start in boardrooms, but in communities? What if local knowledge and youth voices were central to climate action? In this season finale of We the Children, Zach sits down with Dr. Anyse Pereira—a scientist, conservationist, and global climate advocate whose work bridges traditional wisdom and modern science.
What if every school made climate education a priority? What if students everywhere had the tools to take real action in their communities? In this episode of We the Children, Zach and Clare dive into these big questions with two inspiring guests from EarthDay.org, Dennis Nolasco and Emily Walker.
Have you ever dreamed of exploring the deep sea, uncovering lost treasures, or even launching your own robot into the unknown? Today, Zach and Clare dive into the world of underwater exploration with Eric Stackpole, an engineer, inventor, and deep-sea explorer who has spent his career building tools to help us see the world in new ways.
For thousands of years, fire has shaped the landscapes of places like Yosemite National Park. But in a world of rising temperatures and longer fire seasons, understanding fire as a natural force is more important than ever.
With over 15 years of experience, Dan Allen, CEO of Farmscape, shares how his team is transforming urban areas into thriving edible gardens while reconnecting communities with sustainable food production.