At School or On Campus
Given the amount of change expected in the future, many young leaders are embracing climate change as an opportunity to influence change in their communities and build solid leadership skills. Across the Capital Region there are youth education and awareness initiatives that are fostering sustainable schools and communities.
Carbon Neutral Schools and Campuses
Under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act, all public sector organizations are required to report out annually on their plans and actions taken to reduce GHG emissions. The goal is to have all campuses and schools become carbon neutral each year starting in 2010. Check out the Carbon Neutral Action Reports to find out how the three campuses and four school districts in our region are doing.
School Programs for All Ages
There are many opportunities for kids and youth to learn more about environmental issues that will provide them with some great ideas on taking action to reduce their own personal carbon footprint and their schools.
The BC Sustainable Energy Association delivers the Climate Change Showdown workshop to Grades 5 and 6 students in elementary schools in the region and across the province. The Climate Change Showdown teaches students about climate change and identifies how they can become a part of the solution.
The Sierra Club of BC works alongside secondary schools in the region to deliver the Sustainable High Schools Program. The program empowers students in the region while providing students with skills, tools, and resources in support of making their high school communities models of sustainability.
The Campus Climate Network engages university and college students through the delivery of the goBEYOND Program. The project engages students, faculty, staff and community partners at post-secondary institutions by offering easily adaptable projects for campus organizations that would like to reduce their GHG emissions and creating opportunities for youth to lead their institutions in collaboratively planning towards a low-carbon future.
Destination Conservation (DC) is a practical, student-driven, activity-based program that brings environmental education alive in schools. DC is designed to increase sustainability by helping schools conserve energy and water, reduce waste and protect the environment while saving money! A cooperative team of students, teachers, principals, custodians and parents work together with DC partners in this multi-year program.
Resources for Teachers
The Pembina Foundation has developed GreenLearning, a premier learning resource for teachers wanting to practice innovative ways of green learning in their classrooms. The program is designed to help teachers save time and help students participate in their own learning while gaining a more holistic and hopeful understanding of complex energy and environmental challenges.
The Environmental Educators Provincial Specialist Association is a volunteer organization that provides networking opportunities, curriculum support, and leadership in environmental education. They have also developed the Environmental Learning Experience Guide which is a cross-curricular framework for environmental and experiential learning in BC.
The Ministry of Education has developed Sustainability Course Content: A Curriculum Framework that provides sustainability concepts and learning outcomes. The development of Sustainable Resources 11 and 12 is the only Ministry curriculum that examines major BC resource industries, including agriculture, energy, fisheries, forestry and mining.
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