Raising awarenessIf you are planning a year ahead then sow a seed This Chinese proverb, written 2500 years ago, has a particular relevance today. Face to face with the limits of the planet to cope with environmental degradation, more and more people are coming to the realisation that dealing with the symptoms is not enough. The time has come to address the causes. And that means looking at our own values and priorities, both as individuals and as a society. We must work not only to clean up the environment in the short term, but to understand how to keep our world healthy in the long term we must learn to live in harmony with the natural world. This means educating ourselves and others, since the more we understand the planet and the plants and creatures which share life on earth with us the better we will appreciate our own place in the delicate web of life, and our responsibilities to it. Many people are now aware of environmental issues, and genuinely want to know more about what they can do to help. Talking to friends, colleagues and family about the environment is an educational process in itself. Researching and sharing that knowledge keeps the information flow moving. Here are just a few ways you can start to spread greater understanding.
Go out and explore the countryside, either on your own or with family or friends. Experiencing and learning first-hand of the beauty and wonder of nature is the quickest way to start to care for it.
More and more schools and nurseries are working on ways to help children and young adults develop their understanding of the environment and of themselves. You can help by giving children of all ages the opportunity to explore and enjoy learning about the environment at home as well.
If you know what your child is learning, you will be able to reinforce and follow up this work at home. You could get involved directly by volunteering to help with field trips. Not only will you be a tower of strength to overworked teachers it will give you greater insight into your child's educational development.
If you are a teacher, you have the opportunity to implement a range of activities. You could propose that the school has containers for recyclable glass, paper or aluminium cans. Advising children to write on both sides of the paper or recycling envelopes yourself will help to raise awareness among both pupils and staff. Encouraging your class to write and produce plays or stories that have an environmental theme will enhance the learning process. Or why not organise a work-party to clear rubbish from common ground?
Make time to look for information on issues that concern you and the well-being of your environment. Develop your understanding and inform yourself of your choices. Many people feel helpless through not knowing how they can act to improve the world they live in.
Role models, especially for children, are important. Actions really do speak louder than words but be sure to explain why you are doing what you do.
One of the simplest and most effective ways to motivate yourself and others is to talk about what's going on around you. Share new information and ask questions and keep asking until you get answers that make sense. Make your own Web site, like this one, listing steps we all can take to combat climate change.
You will find that the quality of your relationship with the environment is a reflection of the quality of your relationship with the people around you. And it works the other way round too!
For many people in the Third World, environmental degradation is literally a matter of life or death. The stakes are higher and the issues clearer. Write to Third World environmental organisations for information but send them money if you do as they operate on much lower budgets than their counterparts in the United Kingdom. |