This challenge considers how our behaviour impacts the environment, and how changes to that behaviour might change our impact, both positively and negatively.
How are the two connected? How do we shape our surroundings, and what is the evidence that our behaviour makes a difference? Is it the case that a significant impact can only be felt if we make big changes or can small changes add up to a make a big difference? When global events overtake national policy, what can we learn from the experience and what are our positive takeaways for the future?
In this section, we explore the impact of global events on the environment and consider ways in which positive change in the face of adversity can create a blueprint for future action. The ultimate challenge question is to examine and quantify your personal practices and behaviours, consider how these might have changed with growing awareness and create a personal sustainability action-plan for the future.
This station discusses some of the language we use in discovering our Spirit of Environmentalism, and the meanings and intentions behind the terminology we use. We consider how our choice of language in discussing environmental issues influences how we and others feel about, and respond to, those issues, and we explore and define some of the skills, competencies, attitudes and virtues that contribute towards effective environmental stewardship.
At this station we consider whether the earth needs humans, or if humans need the earth, and ask ourselves why we want to preserve and protect our planet. We explore the impact of natural events and our preparedness to cope with natural hazards, learn about the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and ask ourselves whether disaster is ever wholly natural.
The air we breathe is a mixture of gases that are essential to our survival. At this station stop we explore the direct link between the cleanliness of our air and our health and take a look at the effect on air quality when the world hits pause. We consider how air quality also affects our climate and the world around us and consider what personal action we can take to reduce air pollution. (Links to UN Sustainable Development Goal #7)
This station addresses our relationship with the oceans that cover 71% of the earth’s surface. We explore the many ways in which we depend on our oceans and the impact of human activity on life below water. Finally we consider how 8 million tonnes of plastic ends up in our oceans each year and identify what personal action we can take to reduce ocean plastics. (Links to UN Sustainable Development Goal #14)
Here we explore the Earth’s biodiversity as a complex matrix of living and inorganic systems, all interacting to maintain a stable balance. We consider the impact of agriculture, deforestation and poaching as examples of the many ways in which our behaviours impact the diversity of life on land and identify ways in which we can take action to help our planet restore the natural order of things. (Links to UN Sustainable Development Goal #15)
At this station we consider the challenges posed by climate change. We explore the actions that are being taken, and can be taken both now and in the future, to mitigate its effects and to adapt to a changing climate. We think about ways in which we can manage our consumption of the world’s natural resources through changing our attitudes and behaviours, and to take action to reuse and recycle wherever possible. (Links to UN Sustainable Development Goal #13)
For the Spirit of environmentalism Challenge we would like you to examine and quantify how your personal practices and behaviours impact the environment, consider how these might have changed with growing awareness and create a personal sustainability action-plan for the future.
You can choose your own format to do this (eg, statement goals, presentation, personal manifiesto, or others to choose your own format in which to do this or they might give you a specific format in which to work (e.g. statement of goals, presentation, personal manifesto etc.)
