The Treadmill of Deconstruction: How Educational Power Can Combat Climate Change

Abstract

While higher levels of education are typically associated with more environmental concern, and there is widespread concern for protecting the environment globally, there is less research on how educational spending impacts CO₂ emissions. We aim to assess how national education spending per student impacts CO₂ emissions. To examine this, we estimate a two-way fixed effects regression model with robust standard errors clustered by country and find that education spending per student at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels reach statistical significance with regards to the level of CO₂ emissions in nations. This finding highlights the importance of national investments in education for improving access to sustainable livelihoods and overcoming the climate crisis. We conclude by offering policy recommendations, such as examining the ways that western educational frameworks encourage (over)consumption and working to counteract them, rather than merely increasing spending in general.