Environmental education can have a profound impact on students' attitudes, values, and behaviours. Studies have shown that students who learn about sustainability are more likely to adopt environmentally friendly practices and become advocates for the environment.
A 2020 study found that being part of a sustainable school had a positive impact on students' wellbeing and the wellbeing of the wider community. Students reported feeling happy, proud, safe, and motivated to care for the environment beyond school. They also felt engaged and connected to nature by spending more time outdoors. The study also found a positive correlation between students' perception of their school's environmental commitment and their wellbeing. Schools that embraced sustainability and cared about the environment were more likely to have students who exhibited higher levels of wellbeing, including happiness, optimism, perseverance, engagement in learning, and connection to and pride in school.
Creating sustainable schools goes beyond just teaching students about environmental issues. It involves transforming the school culture to embrace sustainability and making changes to the school's operations and infrastructure to reduce its environmental impact.
Some of the ways schools can become more sustainable include:
Utilising carbon footprint data: While it's true that many schools already measure their carbon footprint, often this data is not fully utilised. Schools may collect the data for compliance purposes but fail to share it with students and parents in a meaningful way. By utilising this data and sharing it with the school community, students and parents can gain a better understanding of where emissions come from and how they can help reduce them. This can also help schools identify areas where they can make improvements and set measurable goals for reduction. This can be a powerful tool for engaging students in sustainability efforts and inspiring them to take action to reduce their own carbon footprints.
Set public targets for reduction: Setting public targets for reducing a school's environmental impact can be a powerful way to engage the school community in sustainability efforts. By sharing goals with students, staff, and parents, schools can create a sense of collective responsibility and motivate everyone to take action towards a common goal. It can also help to build a sense of pride when goals are reached, and encourage ongoing efforts towards sustainability. Schools can set targets for reducing energy and water consumption, waste production, and greenhouse gas emissions, among other areas. By tracking progress towards these goals, schools can also identify areas where additional efforts are needed, and celebrate successes along the way.
Promoting sustainable transportation: Encouraging students to walk, bike, or use public transportation to get to school can have a significant impact on reducing the school's carbon footprint. Providing safe bike racks and walking paths can help to make walking and biking to school a more feasible and attractive option for students. Schools can also work with local transportation authorities to create bus or shuttle services that run on clean energy. By encouraging sustainable transportation options, schools can reduce traffic congestion around the school and improve air quality, creating a healthier environment for students and the wider community.
Creating green spaces: Green spaces such as gardens and trees can be incorporated into school design to improve air quality and provide opportunities for outdoor learning. Schools can create vegetable gardens, fruit orchards, or native plant gardens, providing students with opportunities to learn about food production, biodiversity, and ecosystems. Green spaces can also provide students with opportunities for physical activity and social interaction. In addition to providing educational and social benefits, green spaces can help to mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce noise pollution, and improve the aesthetic quality of the school environment. Schools can work with local organisations to source native plants and plan sustainable landscapes that require less water and maintenance.
Sustainability education should not be limited to the classroom. It should be integrated into all aspects of school life, including extracurricular activities, school events, and community service projects.
By teaching students about sustainability and encouraging them to take action, schools can help create a generation of environmentally conscious citizens who are equipped to tackle the challenges of a rapidly changing world. This can have a profound impact on students' well-being, as well as the well-being of their communities and the planet as a whole.
In addition to the benefits for students and the environment, sustainable schools can also save money and reduce operating costs. Energy-efficient lighting and heating systems, for example, can significantly reduce energy bills, while recycling and composting programs can reduce waste disposal costs.
As we look towards a greener future, it's essential that schools play their part in creating a sustainable society. By teaching students about sustainability, promoting sustainable practices, and creating sustainable schools, we can inspire the next generation to take action towards a greener, more sustainable future.
