... And Now We Indoctrinate Our Children

As if we needed yet another example of Albertans' deep denial of global warming. Education Minister Adriana LaGrange claims she is receiving reports from parents of "extremist views" being taught in the province's schools. "There was a particular document that was shown to me recently," she complained, "in terms of our children being taught that they are the final generation to deal with climate change. Climate change is real, but we do want that presented to our children in a balanced way."

If this is indeed what children are being taught, then the teachers responsible may be, if anything, optimistic. We may be the final generation to deal with climate change, at least when it comes to irreparable damage to our planet. And how do I know that? Because I follow Greta Thunberg's advice, I listen to the scientists. And the scientists tell us that if we don't halt global warming post-haste, we will face irreversible effects. Indeed we may have already reached the tipping point for events such as the death of the coral reefs or the melting of the ice caps.

As for the minister's desire for balance, that's not a matter for science class. Science is about truth, not balance. Balance is a political term. If the minister wants to introduce the industry's views, the place is social studies, the proper arena for discussing politics, economics and social effects. And the balance is straightforward. The oil industry has been very good to Albertans. It has generously provided wages, profits and taxes. But it turns out that this generous product is the major cause of the greatest threat facing humanity, the threat is upon us, and we must deal with it vigorously, and we must deal with it now.

Regardless of what the kids do in social studies, they are much more in need of environmental science, particularly climate science, the most important of our sciences at this moment in human history. To keep the scientific view of climate change from our children is wrong educationally—they deserve the best scientific information—and wrong morally—they deserve to know the danger we have put them and their children in.

The premier has promised (or threatened, as is his way) to take politics out of the school curriculum. Well here's a good start. He can put an end to hiding critical science from the kids in order to protect an industry. That isn't education, it's indoctrination.