Happy New Year, Spring Festival, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, World Water Day, Equinox, Ramadan, Semana Santa and final semester for the 2022-2023 school year!
With the end of the school year fast approaching, Open Shores English is gearing up for another summer full of pen pal letter writing, conversation starting, and action taking to further drive progress toward an Earth-conscious global society.
Tall order? We think not! Every small step gets us that much closer.
And as our brand-new course on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals moves into its seventh week, we want to share a few resources we’ve found useful, to help keep our teacher friends and supporters feeling both informed and empowered.
Just after our last newsletter of 2022, we shared “Why Does Sustainability Education Matter?” on YouTube, to remind all- whether or not we take time to appreciate the Earth for the simple things (its provision of nourishment for our bodies, of water to quench our thirst, of free, clean air for us to breathe)- the conversation on eco-consciousness and sustainable living is here to stay.
Incorporating it into our businesses, our schooling, and our everyday lives, therefore, is only a matter of time.
That's why Open Shores English is here: to provide a supportive space, where all those on their journey to creating a more sustainable future feel their contributions to the conversation matter.
If you’re interested in watching what inspired “Why Does Sustainability Education Matter?” in the first place, check out the TEDx presentation from climate activist David Saddington, “Why I don't care about 'Climate Change'" (Why he doesn't care? How could he not? Go find out!)
And while we’re on the subject of inspiration, see the best 45-minutes spent on “The Need to GROW”, where you'll learn how revolutionizing the agricultural industry could very well be the most vital of solutions to securing sustainability... And why we as consumers are part of that revolution!
Who’s ready to start a garden?
Who’s already shopping local because that’s just how people shop where you live?
We’d love to hear from you about the ways in which your bringing eco-conscious habits into your life. Feel free to comment below!
Not ready to start your own garden but know that you’re ready to be a part of the solution?
Check out the article “’What can I do?’ Anything.” from Heated- “a newsletter for people who are pissed off about the climate crisis”.
Yes indeed, even just talking about climate change can help us drive change.
Don’t believe it?
Take a look at this article from Yale University on Attaining Meaningful Outcomes from Conversation on Climate Change to see just how far a simple discussion can take us.
Or maybe something between a conversation and a garden project...
How about simple ways to lead a greener, healthier, and more sustainable lifestyle that reduce your impact on the planet?
Then you might like this article from Columbia Climate School on The 35 Easiest Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
We’ve also got a simple explanation for teaching students about the importance of doing more with less, why we want to reduce our carbon footprint and waste in the first place, and how each and every one of us can make a difference, starting with SDG #12: responsible consumption.
And for the kids practicing their reading skills, a simple, read-along story about taking what's given with gratitude.
Looking to find more ways to help your students take part in finding sustainable solutions to the climate crisis? You’ll love these assignments to spark action from allwecansave.earth.
And for our readers on-the-go, we want to share this podcast- especially for those working on building better listening skills while staying in-the-know- where two brothers "focus on basic sustainability education and the small steps that we as consumers/families can do to not only shrink our carbon footprint but grow our positive footprint".
Find it here: Realistic Sustainability
In fact, we’ll be using these episodes in…
Our Wednesday conversation sessions!
If you’re part of our Education for Eco-Consciousness and Sustainable Living Group, you know that we recently took a poll on members’ interest in sharing resources related to sustainability education and practicing English with other members.
For this reason, we're excited to invite everyone to our Group Conversation Sessions, held on the last Wednesday each month.
Don't forget to sign up, and let us know in the group!
We'll decide on the episode this week.
Until then, thanks for keep up!
Bless