Global Climate Literacy Competitions – A Free Climate Literacy Program That Empowers the Next Generation
Climate literacy is essential in preparing students to understand and address the environmental challenges of today and the future. From biodiversity loss and climate change to resource management and sustainability, young learners must develop the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions and take meaningful action. However, making climate education both accessible and effective remains a challenge.
Traditional classroom instruction often presents climate topics in a linear, segmented way, making it difficult for students to connect the dots between environmental systems. Additionally, static curricula struggle to keep pace with new climate research, leaving students with outdated information. Gamified learning offers an alternative—one that is engaging, interactive, and adaptive to the fast-changing realities of climate science.
About Global Climate Literacy Competitions
The Global Climate Literacy Competition (GCLC) was created to bridge this gap by making climate education interactive, engaging, and globally accessible. Developed by Green Guardians in collaboration with Knowledge Platform, GCLC provides students with a structured yet flexible learning experience that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and climate action.
The competition’s mission is to empower students with the knowledge and skills to understand climate challenges and take meaningful action in their schools, communities, and beyond. By leveraging gamified learning and international collaboration, GCLC envisions a future where climate literacy is an essential part of every student’s education, preparing them to become informed global citizens and change-makers.
Why Gamified Learning Works for Climate Literacy
- Bite-Sized, Flexible Learning – Short, interactive challenges make it easy for students to engage with complex topics in manageable pieces, fitting seamlessly into existing curricula.
- Engaging and Motivating – Game-based learning increases participation by tapping into competition, rewards, and interactive problem-solving.
- Quick to Update – Unlike textbooks, digital learning games can quickly integrate new findings, ensuring students stay informed with the latest climate science.
- Holistic, Systems Thinking Approach – Gamification allows students to explore the interconnectedness of climate issues, helping them develop a big-picture understanding of how ecosystems, policies, and behaviors interact.
Impact of Global Climate Literacy Competition 1
The first edition of GCLC demonstrated the potential of gamified climate education:
- 3,327 students from 174 schools and 37 countries participated
- Students played over 200,000 climate literacy games, with an average playtime of 109 minutes per student
- Schools in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and other regions showed strong participation and engagement, despite infrastructure and technology limitations
Educators reported that students became more engaged in environmental discussions, developed a deeper understanding of climate change, and started applying their knowledge in real life. Many students took action by reducing food waste, conserving energy, and advocating for sustainable practices in their communities. Read the full report.
What’s New in Global Climate Literacy Competition 2?
Running from March 10th to April 22nd, our second competition series focuses on biodiversity, helping students explore ecosystems, conservation, and their role in protecting nature.
- Who can join? Students in Grades 6–8 worldwide
- What’s involved? 60 short, gamified climate literacy challenges
- Time commitment? Each game takes 3–5 minutes, allowing flexible participation
- Advancement criteria? The Top 40 students move on to the next rounds, with the opportunity to be recognized on the global leaderboard
- Certification? All students who complete the required games with an accuracy rate of 60% or above receive a Climate Literacy Certificate
How Schools and Educators Can Get Involved
- Register your school for free: globalclimateliteracy.org
- Encourage students to participate—no additional class time required
- Share this opportunity with fellow educators, parents, and school networks to expand access
GCLC 2 offers an opportunity for schools and students to engage with climate education in a meaningful way. If you are an educator, school leader, or part of an education network, this is a chance to expand access to climate learning at no cost.
If you are interested in partnering with Global Climate Literacy Competitions or a competition demo, contact us at info@greenguardians.com.