Education focusing on environmental issues is paramount to a sustainable future led by environmentally literate citizens. By equipping students with knowledge, skills, and motivation they will be ready and able to tackle complex topics such as climate change, natural resource sustainability, and a prosperous global economy.

This year the theme is “End Plastic Pollution”. Climate change isn’t just about saving energy. Everything we use or consume each day represents an investment of energy, water, and other resources before it reaches us.

The Plastic Pollution Toolkit provides a daily focus related to ending plastic pollution with suggested activities by age group.

SCARCE can help you take action

Host a Pick Up 5 litter clean up. Add more depth by doing a litter audit.

Install storm drain medallions around your school. SCARCE will help you get started!

Start an Idle-Free Campaign in the School Parking Lot & Pick-Up area.

Implement a  lunchroom food share to reduce wasted food.

Do a quick classroom energy audit

What around the classroom uses energy? What can you do as a class to save energy? Look for things that are rarely used or could be unplugged or shut down at the end of the day. DuPage County teachers can borrow a kill-a-watt meter from SCARCE to measure energy use of electronics.

Everyday Actions Have an Impact: Tips for Kids

• Turn off the lights when you leave the room to save energy and help lightbulbs last longer.
• Turn off the water while washing your hands or brushing your teeth to save water and energy.
• Walk or ride your bike instead of driving (Bike to School Day is May 9th!)
• Encourage energy-efficient play: turn off the computer or video game and play a board game, get creative, read, or go outside.
• Don’t waste food – it takes lots of energy and water to grow and transport food.

More Resources:

Check out the recently launched “Our Climate – Our Future” video series for youth – which can be watch in one sitting, or broken down into individual lessons.

Art classes can make a Parachute for the Planet to raise awareness around climate change.

Motivated high school seniors can check out the Focus Climate Gap Year