How to Teach Children Environmental Responsibility

One of the biggest issues facing the planet today is climate change. It is something that will likely affect children in the future. Education is key for tackling its effects and every little step we take can help.

We’ve teamed up with an independent boys school to share guidance on how you can teach children environmental responsibility.

1) Explore The Natural World

Children need a reason to care so start off by exploring the beauty of nature. For this you could go on a nature walk, visit a nearby park, and go beyond your local area by exploring how countries are affected and the environments under increased risk. 

2) Explore How We Cause Harm

Pollution has various forms. There’s litter that we create which has the potential to cause harm to other species, like turtles for example, air pollution from industrial work and transport and water pollution from what is dumped into streams, lakes, and other bodies of water.

3) The Impact of Climate Change

Climate change is possibly the biggest impact of our harmful behaviours and is the result of heat trapped in the atmosphere. While there are lots of different causes, the main cause is carbon dioxide released into the air. 

4) Ways to Tackle Pollution

Depending on the pollution you’re looking at, there are solutions that we can all get on board to reduce impact on the environment. For example, we can filter waste and dispose of it correctly using recycling bins, upcycle old materials and clothing we no longer need as well as simply purchasing less and making smarter choices with regards to our consumption. Here are a few simple changes that we can all make, including children:

• Turn electricity off when not in use.

• Find eco-friendly ways to have fun.

• Turn off taps when done and reduce flow to what’s necessary.

• Walk as opposed to taking car journeys.

While these are small changes, education and encouraging children to take such steps can help protect the planet and have a cumulative impact.