Climate change remains one of the greatest challenges facing humanity today, with rural communities in developing regions such as a Southern Malawi and Mozambique being disproportionately affected. The frequency of natural disasters such as cyclones, floods, and droughts has increased significantly, further exacerbating the vulnerabilities of already fragile livelihoods. Recent examples, such as Cyclone Chido, originating from the Indian ocean, demonstrate the urgency to address climate impacts. While weather updates and disaster warnings are critical tools for preparedness, they remain insufficient without a strong foundation of education - particularly informal education tailored to rural communities. Education, therefore, becomes a fundamental tool for empowering these communities, equipping them with skills, knowledge and resources to adapt, respond, and build resilience to climate change.

Informal education delivered through community workshops, peer-to-peer training, farmer field schools and participatory programmes can bridge this gap. Unlike formal education, it is flexible, accessible, and tailored to the immediate needs of communities. It empowers individuals with practical knowledge that can transform their approach to agriculture, resource management, and disaster preparedness. Consequently, informal education provides a unique opportunity to engage rural communities in meaningful learning experiences that foster both awareness and action. Several key areas can be addressed through such initiatives.

Informal education can demystify climate change, explaining its causes, effects, and connections to local events like Cyclone Chido. Simple, culturally appropriate materials such as storytelling, community meetings, and radio programmes can be used to ensure that people understand why cyclones and erratic weather are occurring more frequently. While weather updates are vital, communities often lack the skills and knowledge to act upon such information. Informal education can train individuals on practical disaster preparedness strategies, such as identifying safe evacuation routes, preparing emergency kits, and protecting critical assets like livestock and food stores during storms. Community-based disaster response teams can also be trained to lead preparedness and evacuation efforts.

Education can empower farmers with climate-smart agricultural techniques that improve food security and reduce vulnerability. Techniques such as crop diversification, conservation agriculture, water harvesting, and the use of drought-resistant seeds can be taught in practical, hands-on settings. Demonstration plots and farmer field schools can act as platforms for peer-to-peer learning, encouraging the adoption of sustainable farming methods. Besides, empowering people in climate-smart agricultural techniques, it can also help them address the sustainable use of natural resources such as forests, rivers, and soil. Topics such as reforestation, soil erosion control, and water conservation can be integrated into community learning sessions. Such education promotes long-term resilience by ensuring that natural ecosystems, which buffer the impacts of climate change, are protected and restored.

Additionally, communities can learn about the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure, such as homes, roads, and irrigation systems that can withstand extreme weather events. Practical skills in construction using locally available, durable materials can be taught through workshops. The devastation caused by Cyclone Chido in Southern Malawi and Mozambique highlights the critical need for education-driven empowerment. Many communities lacked the preparedness to respond effectively, resulting in the loss of life, livelihoods, and infrastructure. In areas where informal education programmes have been implemented, however, there is evidence of improved resilience. For instance, villages with prior disaster training were able to mobilize community-led evacuations and protect essential food supplies. Similarly, farmers trained in climate-smart technologies reported less crop loss compared to those without such knowledge. Closer examples are those communities that are participating in enhanced public works programmes aimed at restoring the environment. Notwithstanding their potential, the implementation of informal education programmes in rural communities face significant challenges, including limited funding, inadequate training of personnel and cultural barriers. Additionally, there is need to integrate education with technology, such as mobile platforms and community radio, to reach more people effectively.

However, the opportunities outweigh the challenges. Informal education is cost-effective, community-driven, and adaptable to local contexts. By partnering with local leaders, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies, informal education can be scaled up to empower entire regions. Women, youth, and other marginalised groups can be actively included, ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against climate change.

Climate change will continue to pose challenges for rural communities, but education remains a powerful tool for fostering resilience and preparedness. Informal education equips individuals with practical, actionable knowledge to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. As seen in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, communities that have embraced education-driven empowerment were better able to protect themselves and recover from adversity. To truly address climate change in regions like Malawi and Mozambique, investments in informal education must be prioritized alongside technological solutions and disaster response systems. By doing so, we can build a future where rural communities are informed, prepared, and resilient in the face of an ever-changing climate.