Index of Resources on this page
Themes
What do we mean by Sustainability?
As far as we know, Earth is the only planet in the solar system we can live on.
Sustainability refers to how we keep (or more often, don’t) a healthy balance in all that we do: our use of natural resources; food production; energy use; consumerism; and our interactions with the natural world. Living ‘sustainably’ means that the needs of people, plants and animals currently living on the planet can be met, without stopping future generations from doing the same.
We can see clearer, now more than ever, the impact human beings have on the environment. Every part of our planet – our home – has been affected by the actions of past (and current) generations: deforestation; water and air pollution; waste; population growth; poverty; biodiversity loss. These challenges are contributing to climate change and a world-wide emergency of proportions never yet experienced by mankind.
It is up to us, as a global community of almost 8 billion, to say enough is enough, and to take action now to try and reverse this damage before it is too late.
Some general information:
Greenpeace – the challenges we face: www.greenpeace.org.uk/challenges/
Hubbub – 12 actions you can take: www.hubbub.org.uk/Listing/Site/make-our-move/Category/impactful-actions-you-can-take-for-the-environment
Friends of the Earth – saving the planet top tips: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/saving-planet-top-tips-help-climate-and-nature
WWF – 22 ways to help the planet in 2022: https://www.wwf.org.uk/what-you-can-do/help-the-planet-2022
Sustainability Themes
Human-made Environment
The way we live our lives – how we travel, how we use energy in our homes and businesses, how we dispose of waste – has an enormous and long-lasting impact on our environment.
Using fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas to generate power, creates the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that contribute to climate change. Carbon dioxide makes up over 70% of all greenhouse gas emissions. We need to find greener, more sustainable ways to live our lives, where meeting our needs are balanced with respecting our environment.
Some issues to think about:
- Energy and use of fossil fuels for: Industry, business, homes and transport
- Use of plastics
- Pollution (see ‘Natural Environment’ section)
Want to know more?
Renewable energy: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-renewable-energy
Hope for the Future: young people and climate change: www.hftf.org.uk/youth
How to save energy in your home: www.hubbub.org.uk/how-to-save-electricity-make-our-move
Reducing car use: www.hubbub.org.uk/drive-less-active-travel-more-make-our-move
Walking to school – secondary schools: https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-to-school/secondary-schools
Going car-free: www.sustrans.org.uk
Plastic Packaging: https://wrap.org.uk/taking-action/plastic-packaging
Friends of the Earth – Plastics: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/plastics
Kids Against Plastic: https://www.kidsagainstplastic.co.uk/
What have others done?
Kids Against Plastic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySgwPzLWNgA
Action for Conservation – plastic revolution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejAgOMq_06M
Coldplay generates energy from dancing fans: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-58898766
Natural Environment
Our natural world is facing immense pressure from climate change, destruction of habitats, pollution and species extinction.
‘Global warming is likely to be the greatest cause of species extinctions this century. The IPCC says a 1.5°C average rise may put 20-30% of species at risk of extinction. If the planet warms by more than 2°C, most ecosystems will struggle. Many of the world’s threatened species live in areas that will be severely affected by climate change. And climate change is happening too quickly for many species to adapt.’ (https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/effects-of/climate-change)
Some issues to think about:
- Pollution: air, water, soil
- Deforestation and habitat destruction
- Biodiversity
- Loss of species/extinction
- (Use of plastics – see ‘Human-made environment’)
Want to know more?
WWF Living Planet Report 2022: https://livingplanet.panda.org/en-GB/
Clean Air Day: www.actionforcleanair.org.uk/campaigns/clean-air-day
Forests and climate change: https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/challenges/forests/
Free Trees for schools: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/schools-and-communities/
WWF – water pollution: https://wwf.panda.org/discover/knowledge_hub/teacher_resources/webfieldtrips/water_pollution/
Keeping it Wild: www.londonyouth.org/what-we-do/youth-social-action/keeping-it-wild-2/
Back Yard Nature Guardians: www.backyardnature.org
Wild SL6 – young people and local conservation: https://wildsl6.wixsite.com/wildsl6
Guerrilla gardening for kids: www.richardjacksonsgarden.co.uk/guerrilla-gardening-kids/#main
What have others done?
Action for Conservation – Young people made a video about how they love nature https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttPAwTJVH0g
Food
The food industry is a major contributor of greenhouse gases. Not only are large areas of forest cut down and burned (releasing CO2) to make space for farmland, gases are released from soil from fertilisers used on the land. Fewer trees means less CO2 is absorbed from the atmosphere. Cow burps also contain methane, a strong greenhouse gas. We also need to consider how our food is transported, how far it travels before reaching us, and whether we’re making the most of the food we’ve got.
Some issues to think about:
- Farming livestock & alternatives to meat
- Over fishing
- Food miles
- Food waste
- (Use of plastics – see ‘Human-made environment’)
Want to know more?
Friends of the Earth – Food and the environment: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/sustainable-living/16-things-you-need-know-about-your-food-and-environment
Matthew Shribman: #NoBeef: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEa0tG8_1A0
Greenpeace – Meat and dairy: www.greenpeace.org.uk/challenges/meat-and-dairy/
WWF Finer Diner: https://www.wwf.org.uk/finerdiner
WWF – Eating for the planet: www.wwf.org.uk/betterbasket
BBC – Food miles: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/facts-about-food-miles
Buying locally: http://www.gogreen.org/blog/the-environmental-benefits-of-buying-locally
ODDBOX – Food waste: https://www.oddbox.co.uk/why
Why it’s green to go veggie: https://www.downtoearth.org/go-veggie/environment/top-10-reasons
What have others done?
Global Action Plan UK. Social action in Newcastle – grow your own; litter picking; make your own water bottle; changing cafeteria food. (Secondary school examples up to 1 min 28 secs.)
The Felix Project Food Fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxdQ4nLbTK0
Youth Rising – one young person who set up a restaurant using food waste: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywQO8Wd4Qvs
Consumerism
How we shop, where we shop, what we buy and what we do with items once we’ve finished with them can have a huge impact on people and the environment. 10% of all greenhouse gasses are produced by the fashion industry. 85% of used clothes end up in landfill or are incinerated. We need to change this trend.
Some issues to think about:
- Fast fashion and our throw-away society
- Ethical and fairtrade practices
- (Use of plastics – see ‘Human-made environment’)
Want to know more?
Oxfam – fast fashion and climate: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam-in-action/oxfam-blog/new-shocking-facts-about-the-impact-of-fast-fashion-on-our-climate/
Oxfam – second hand September: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved/second-hand-september/
WRAP – valuing our clothes: https://wrap.org.uk/resources/report/valuing-our-clothes-cost-uk-fashion
Life cycle of jeans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmGjkXIqI08
Fairtrade and Sustainability: https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/what-is-fairtrade/fairtrade-and-sustainability/
Make do and mend: https://www.pledgefortheplanet.org/pledgespiration/make-do-and-mend/
Reasons to buy second hand clothes: https://re-fashion.co.uk/blogs/news/10-reasons-to-buy-second-hand-clothes
Little Free Library – recycling/book swap: https://littlefreelibrary.org/
What have others done?
Elizabeth Farrell (Glacier Girl) visual environmental activist: www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Ktw_-8vys3M
Teenagers Tackle Fast Fashion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm_3HVLbggM
Emma De Saram on TikTok- young climate activist (look out for the Repair Café idea!) https://www.tiktok.com/@emmadesaram?lang=en