To begin with, the reason for writing about the environment is to teach that both children and adults are responsible for their environment. The impact that children will have with the environment is greater since they will be here in future generations. Also, having worked with an environmental engineer as an Administrative Assistant, I learned of its great importance in Florida building construction.
What are some steps we can take in the class to help insure this? A thought is to Increase the amount of interaction between schools and the community. This will actually encourage children to take an active role in recycling, conservation and activities that can reduce the amount of waste in the community. Encourage the class to divide into 3 groups of 7 and come up with a poster of what they can do to clean-up the environment. Have them do this after class discussion time and to be due at end of on Tuesday.
Within the bounds of a general class discussion, have students brainstorm ideas they have to reduce environmental waste. An example would be to think of harmful things to avoid such as asbestos when building ceilings which cause mesothelioma cancer. The EPA or Environmental Protection Agency issues warnings against this.
Ask: What is the level of awareness on the environmental education in the community? What are the solutions to saving the environment? Useful environmental solutions include composting, landfills, and recycling.
First of all, composting is the “soul of healthy soil”. It includes lawn and garden residues, glass, metals and food scraps. Ask one group to come up with 4 important facts after researching on a school or library computer. How is it being ecology-wise to produce compost? For example, talk to class about there being healthier plants from nutrient healthy soil, saving money on garden products and waste removal and as an alternative to burning waste or landfills.
Next, talk to the class about landfills in Charleston such as at Bees Ferry Road. What is a landfill? A landfill is an area of land that is built up form refuse material. Why is it important that electronics be recycled instead of being dumped in landfills? The Department of Health and Environmental Control said that chromium and cadmium can be harmful to the environment and there is a $1,000 fine. There are eight different convenience centers for recycling in Charleston.
Finally, in the last group of 7 ask students what can they do at home to help with recycling efforts? Examples include not littering (there’s a fine for that too) and using the Charleston County’s 95-gallon lidded cart on wheels to separate plastic, aluminum and glass from paper. Thankfully, in Charleston the new pilot program has increased participation 70% in recent years. Go to: http://recycle.charleston.org for a schedule and instructions on what can be recycled and how. Ask students to write down the link: http://greenplanet4kids.com/rrr/why-reduce-reuse-recycle-01?gclid=CJuml_C1r6oCFUSK4AodQSRRDA. Ask them to read about the Green Planet 4Kids website and give some tips on how they themselves can reduce, reuse and recycle. What are Eco-kids? Many tips are written by kids helping kids. For a grade combined with the poster on a separate page write a paragraph on your impression or this website and/or send an email.
One amazing fact is that the US and Canada are two of the highest water consumers in the world. Look up the website:
How is change coming about in the world in ecology? The North American Association for Environmental Education – Advocacy Committee (NAAEE) meets regularly now with Shareen Knowlton as Chair, website: http://www.naaee.org. Although there have been budget cuts from individual schools to nonprofit organizations, this group is a strong advocacy group involved in our government. Hopefully, being aided in a big way by the anticipated passage of Federal and state legislation this “Strong, organized, advocacy on behalf of this legislation is the very best way to ensure that EE can make this leap which is so vital to the future of our planet… and we need your help to make it happen!” (Knowlton, S. 2011)
Benefits of Recycling.com (2010). Retrieved on August 1, 2011 from: http://www.benefits-of-recycling.com/interestingrecyclingfacts.html.
Knowlton, S. (2011).NAAEE Advocacy for Environmental Education. Retrieved on August 1, 2011 from http://www.naaee.net/advocacy.
Casteele, E. (2011). ConnectEd from Walden University: A Place for Educators to be Informed, Engaged and Inspired. “Why Is Environmental Education Important?” Retrieved on August 1, 2011 from: http://connected.waldenu.edu/curriculum-resources/lesson-plans-and-class-activities/item/945-why-is-environmental-education-important.
Bird, A. (2011) The Post and Courier: After July 1, electronics must be recycled, not dumped in landfills. Retrieved on August 1, 2011 from: http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/apr/25/where-will-you-take-old-computers.
Knowlton, S. (2011).NAAEE Advocacy for Environmental Education. Retrieved on August 1, 2011 from http://www.naaee.net/advocacy.
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