Today's students will be tomorrow's leaders in the battle against climate change, so it is vital that students understand the concept of sustainable living from an early age.
Modeling and teaching by example have a greater effect on student's behavior than simply telling them what to do. Therefore, if we are looking to emphasize the importance of sustainable living, we must start by evaluating our own habits. And of course, there are always areas we can improve in :)
First of all, teachers and parents can read story books about climate change. Reading story books together is both a bonding parent-child activity and an excellent way to introduce the issue of climate change. There are some well-known classics which can create opportunities to discuss the importance of living sustainably, such as Where The Wild Things Are or Charlotte's Web. There are also books that address the issue more pointedly; from Michael Foreman's picture book Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish to Elizabeth Beresdord's series of children's novels The Wombles.
Secondly, teachers can plan a field trip to the grocery store. Before we head out, we need to explain to the students the concept of eco-friendly products and we need to make sure they understand how to check whether something is locally produced and organic. Once in the store, we need to teach them how to look out for certain labels or stickers, and to look for products without unnecessary plastic packaging.
In addition, we need to discuss and practise recycling at school. It is very important for students to understand the issues of waste and recycling. We can talk about how paper is made and why recycling can help protect the trees and forests. We need to explain to them how some materials, such as plastic, take hundreds of years to break down naturally and are harmful to wildlife and the environment.
Another very interesting field trip would be to visit a local sustainable farm. Visiting a local sustainable farm is a great way to teach our students about where their food is coming from and why it is important to buy organic and locally grown fruits and vegetables.
We need to allow our students to spend more time in nature. They need to learn very early about how their actions can impact nature. If they are enjoying nature trails, forests and parks, they need to carry an empty sack and make a game of collecting any rubbish they spot while they are hiking.
In our school, we have started a vegie garden. The vegetable garden is a fun way to show our students where their food comes from. In Science class, the teacher and students can start by getting together to research which vegetables grow in which seasons and deciding where they want to plant them.
In the cafeteria menu, it is very important to implement meatless days. Implementing meat-free day is a great way to have an open conversation about the environmental impact of livestock farming and lowering our carbon footprint. Teachers and students can have some fun coming up with meat-free recipes.
Students can have a difficult time understanding that water is a limited resource or that electricity is usually generated from non-renewable natural resources. Teachers need to find some educational videos and infographics that will help them understand why conserving natural resources is a good thing.
Furthermore, teachers can tackle an upcycling project with their students. For example, empty plastic bottles can be turned into bird feeders; a pizza box can make an excellent surface to paint on and tin cans can be turned into DIY lanterns.
Finally, we need to encourage our students to walk or to start cycling more often. Instead of taking the car everywhere they go, they should consider cycling or walking when time and weather conditions allow. They will save on fuel costs and minimize air pollution. Indeed, it is another teachable moment that will get our students thinking about how their everyday choices can impact the environment.
An astronaut said, "From a distance you can see how fragile and thin our atmosphere is. Only a thin layer covers our big planet. The atmosphere is absolutely not some kind of infinite rubbish dump. The ecosystem needs to be taken care of, and people must move to sustainable consumption."
Go Green must be our motto for sustainable living in school. It is all about spreading the message of eco-sustainability and making our Earth a better place.
Our students love Instagram! Well, we need to encourage them to start an Instagram account about sustainable living and they can invite their friends to follow. They will inspire their friends to start composting, or use all-natural cleaning products. They may go beyond teaching their friends to more eco-friendly too.
They can start a book club on zoom dedicated to learning about sustainable living. It is a great way to socialize, at a distance, with friends and to learn more about being good to the environment. They are so many good books to read on the topic that can sustain their sustainability chats as long as they like.
After reading good books, they can start a community garden with the local gardeners. A community garden is an excellent way to learn about sustainable farming. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is easy to stay socially distanced in a community garden by scheduling the work in shifts.
They can also challenge their friends to sign up for community cleanups. Cotonou has come a long way in the last couples of decades, and a lot of that is due to volunteers, like Sandra Idossou, who have put in the work to make Cotonou thrive again.
We shouldn't forget to get the little ones involved in our sustainable living efforts. The young ones who learn to go car-free, or grow their own salads in a garden, are better prepared to guide our world into the future.
One of the biggest thing we can do is to become changers of social behaviors in our communities. Research shows that teaching concepts to youth is more likely to create a lasting impact. It is never too early to teach sustainable living. In a world where mental health, obesity, and food related health issues are rife, such a simple veggie patch can have a life long impact in food choices and a healthy mind.
Every country must pass legislation prohibiting supermarkets from throwing away food based on its sell-by date. They must instead donate all food that is still edible to a charity or food bank. In addition, every country must phase out chemical pesticides like glyphosate by 2020. They will illustrate a commitment to healthy, sustainable food for all citizens.
Remember, making the slightest change in your lifestyle can have a significant impact on the environment. Be a more vigilant citizen, the MOTHER EARTH needs preservation, not exploitation.
Sustainable living is a success on its own as it gives us the privilege to contribute our part to leaving a habitable planet for the coming generations.
Have a great Saturday!
No comments:
Post a Comment