Environmental Endeavour

In order to raise awareness around environmental issues, it is vital to start the conversation early. Environmental awareness should be part of school curriculums and all schools can learn something from the Echo-Schools Initiative.

Practical tips for schools

Here are some practical tips to do the same:

• Teach children about the three R’s: reduce waste, reuse resources, and recycle materials.
• Organised tree planting days at school and tell children why trees are important to the environment.
• Encourage children to switch off all appliances and lights when not in use.
• Ensure taps are closed properly after you have used them and use water sparingly

Lead by example

We are more likely to remember things people did than what they said. Although teaching children about what it means to be environmentally aware is important, it will have more of a lasting impact on them when you lead by example.

• So, teachers, when you see litter, pick it up even if it’s not yours, you never know which pair of little eyes might be watching you.
• Get a recycling system going in your classroom and show the children how to use it.

Spread the word

Schools should encourage children to share their environmental knowledge with their friends and family. A good idea would be to encourage the children to practise at home. It is little use if children use water sparingly at school, but leave taps dripping at home. These steps will help produce kids who are more knowledgeable about environmental issues.

So let’s get teaching! Let’s provide these information sponges with useful information about environmental awareness, so that goodness can overflow into all the world!