Before you can ask yourself the question “What is sustainability in schools?”, you first need to define what sustainability basically means: sustainability is a term that is often used in connection with environmental protection and nature conservation. It describes the responsible use of the earth’s finite resources or nature. These should retain their natural ability to regenerate in the long term and thus remain available for future generations.
However, sustainability is not only about the environment, but also about social and economic aspects. A sustainable society is committed to ensuring that all people are treated fairly, have access to education and healthcare and can live in a stable economy.
Under the umbrella of the United Nations, 178 countries have committed themselves to preserving the natural basis of life as a global policy goal in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and in Agenda 21. Agenda 21 contains a detailed programme of action with 17 goals in the categories of people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership.
Sustainable development is a task to which everyone must contribute and education in particular plays a central role in this. Children must be made aware of the impact that each individual’s actions have on the development of the world and this awareness must also be taught at school. The goal of responsible environmental education is laid down in the UN action programme ‘Education for Sustainable Development’ (ESD) and is now also anchored in the curricula of all federal states. Both the acquisition of knowledge and the sensitisation of children to a sustainable way of life are central to this. Pupils should become aware of the impact of their own actions on the world and learn how to make responsible decisions.
The concept of sustainability is omnipresent in the media and in everyday life and is also of interest to children. It is therefore particularly important to explain to them what it means to live sustainably.
A simple explanation of sustainability for your pupils could look like this: “Sustainability means that you only use as much of something as you can produce again. This is to ensure that resources remain available for future generations. All people, animals and plants should be able to live well on earth in the future. In order to live sustainably, we should only use as much of nature as can grow again and should not waste anything. Animals and our environment must be protected. In addition, the air, water and soil must not be polluted with waste, poison or exhaust fumes. In addition to protecting our environment, we must ensure that no one in the world has to go hungry or work in poor conditions.”
Before you can ask yourself the question “What is sustainability in schools?”, you first need to define what sustainability basically means: sustainability is a term that is often used in connection with environmental protection and nature conservation. It describes the responsible use of the earth’s finite resources or nature. These should retain their natural ability to regenerate in the long term and thus remain available for future generations.
However, sustainability is not only about the environment, but also about social and economic aspects. A sustainable society is committed to ensuring that all people are treated fairly, have access to education and healthcare and can live in a stable economy.
Under the umbrella of the United Nations, 178 countries have committed themselves to preserving the natural basis of life as a global policy goal in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and in Agenda 21. Agenda 21 contains a detailed programme of action with 17 goals in the categories of people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership.
Sustainable development is a task to which everyone must contribute and education in particular plays a central role in this. Children must be made aware of the impact that each individual’s actions have on the development of the world and this awareness must also be taught at school. The goal of responsible environmental education is laid down in the UN action programme ‘Education for Sustainable Development’ (ESD) and is now also anchored in the curricula of all federal states. Both the acquisition of knowledge and the sensitisation of children to a sustainable way of life are central to this. Pupils should become aware of the impact of their own actions on the world and learn how to make responsible decisions.
The concept of sustainability is omnipresent in the media and in everyday life and is also of interest to children. It is therefore particularly important to explain to them what it means to live sustainably.
A simple explanation of sustainability for your pupils could look like this: “Sustainability means that you only use as much of something as you can produce again. This is to ensure that resources remain available for future generations. All people, animals and plants should be able to live well on earth in the future. In order to live sustainably, we should only use as much of nature as can grow again and should not waste anything. Animals and our environment must be protected. In addition, the air, water and soil must not be polluted with waste, poison or exhaust fumes. In addition to protecting our environment, we must ensure that no one in the world has to go hungry or work in poor conditions.”
Sustainability can also be emphasised when travelling with the school. This will show your class new perspectives and sensitise them to the topic of sustainability – be it in terms of food, shopping or travel behaviour. Various aspects can be considered when preparing a school trip:
Travel providers such as HEROLÉ Klassenfahrten offer support in planning sustainable school trips. With HEROLÉ, schools can easily book school trips that combine fun, recreation and education for sustainable development (ESD) through innovative and creative programmes. This gives pupils the opportunity to learn how they themselves can contribute to sustainability, nature conservation and environmental protection through learning content and research projects.
Raising the topic of sustainability at school is particularly important in order to sensitise pupils to sustainable action, impart knowledge and enable them to take action. There are many different ways to actively implement sustainability in everyday school life, e.g. reducing electricity and water consumption, waste separation or sustainable school trips. In addition, many school subjects lend themselves to the integration of sustainable topics – from the importance of bees to coal mining in Lützerath. In this way, the school can realise education for sustainable development and pupils and teachers can make a joint contribution to environmental protection and sustainability.
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