Publish at October 18 2022 Updated October 18 2022
The environment is at the heart of youth concerns. Normal since they are the ones who will live the most with the effects of climate change. They are already experiencing stronger storms, long heat waves, droughts, etc.
However, we should not take for granted that they know all the subtleties of ecological issues. It is easy in the West to think that drinking water is there in almost infinite quantities. However, this could not be further from the truth. Water tables are drying up, regions are receiving less rain, and pollution is contaminating springs.
Of course, the first environment to educate them is in the family home. A special context that requires parents to address topics related to ecology without falling into fatalism. This can be difficult when children only receive negative news on television or the Internet. The idea is, without denying the issues, to keep hope alive by engaging as a family in environmentally responsible actions. This can be by reducing water consumption for dental hygiene or showers. Participating in litter pickup, demineralization, or wetland creation activities in the community can raise their awareness of ecosystems.
Contact with nature is essential to show them the richness of the local flora and fauna. Multiple books address environmental issues, a way to keep them awake to these topics even when they are in the house. There are also creative kits about the beauty of the planet and its issues, including water, which helps them better understand and love the environment by making a globe or other habitat-related things with their hands. A small parental investment pays off in knowledge, awareness and fun.
What's more, community actions are excellent educational springboards for parents. In Wallonia, for example, plaques near the drains remind people not to throw trash into those holes. A way to remember the path of water since the slogan is "Here begins the sea".
There are also shows aimed at the youngest to show them the fragility of water and organizations that launch different awareness-raising campaigns in Morocco and elsewhere that reach out to the general public as much as to the youngest with video vignettes, among others. Family activities are generally organized on the sidelines of world days of the oceans (June 8) or of water (March 22).
These campaigns arise in different aspects to respect the hydraulic realities of each region of the world. For example, in a more arid environment such as the Near East and North Africa, every waste has a real effect on the available drinking water supplies. The FAO's (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) "water caravans" are a reminder that every human activity consumes water. Whether it's farming or smartphone production, every decision has an impact on average consumption. Thus, throwing vegetables in the trash or constantly changing appliances is not without consequences.
There is no need to always be moral. In fact, gaming is a good approach to engage young people and not bore them with a litany of statistics. Especially in precarious environments that already live more difficult and do not need to be pointed at but rather to be awakened to these realities that affect them, often more than among the more fortunate. Some will set up in public places like parks to mix games and exhibitions on the subject of water as here in Spézet, Brittany.
Of course, schools are not environments in a vacuum. Environmental issues concern them and can be instilled in students. Moreover, municipalities such as that of Nanterre with Sénéo have set up an education program that is established at school. 4 activities are proposed during the school year. This includes two awareness workshops, another artistic one and an outing to an eco-educational park. They are all aimed at 4th and 5th graders in order to start raising their awareness as soon as possible.
The Syndicat des Eaux d'Île-de-France (SEDIF) reaches a similar audience with mini lectures and educational kits that include experiments, diagrams and other resources so that they grasp the water cycle and the importance of preservation.
Older children are not left out. More and more schools are offering outdoor activities in natural environments to, again, connect younger children with the variety of living species associated with wetlands, lakes or rivers.
In this way, nature becomes concrete, especially for city children who are more removed from it, and the desire to protect it increases with repeated contact. Not to mention that it is a great way to address various educational objectives related to life and earth sciences. Finally, on sites such as that of the foundation "La main à la pâte", there are various reproducible and Creative Commons licensed activities to address the theme with these students. Whether it's through play or diagram work, learners can learn much more about the issue of water on our planet.
Photo credit: en.depositphotos.com
References:
"How To Teach Your Child About Ecology Without Stressing Him?" Sloli. Last updated November 22, 2021. https://www.sloli-editions.com/sensibiliser-enfant-ecologie/.
"Ici Commence La Mer!", The New Awareness Campaign for Water Protection." Wallonia. Last updated May 31, 2022. https://www.wallonie.be/fr/actualites/ici-commence-la-mer-la-nouvelle-campagne-de-sensibilisation-la-protection-de-leau.
"World Oceans Day: Raising Awareness for Resource Preservation." GUYOT Environment. Last updated: June 8, 2022. https://www.guyotenvironnement.com/post/journ%C3%A9e-mondiale-des-oc%C3%A9ans-sensibilisation-%C3%A0-la-pr%C3%A9servation-des-ressources.
"FAO Initiated The Water Caravan In Tunisia." FAO. Last updated: July 31, 2022. https://www.fao.org/neareast/news/view/fr/c/1601588/.
"Les P'tits Citoyens De L'Eau." Seneca. Last updated: September 23, 2022. https://www.seneo.fr/nos-actions/sensibilisation-a-l-environnement/les-ptits-citoyens-de-leau/.
"ABHBC Launches Awareness Campaign On The Importance Of Water Resource Protection." Direction Générale De L'Eau. Last updated: June 24, 2022. https://81.192.10.228/labhbc-lance-une-campagne-de-sensibilisation-sur-limportance-de-la-protection-des-ressources-en-eau/.
Pottier, Catherine. ""Qui a Coupé L'eau? " : Un Spectacle Pour Sensibiliser Les Enfants De Partir De 4 Ans Aux Enjeux De L'eau." Franceinfo. Last updated January 22, 2022. https://www.francetvinfo.fr/replay-radio/au-fil-de-l-eau/qui-a-coupe-l-eau-un-spectacle-pour-sensibiliser-les-enfants-a-partir-de-4-ans-aux-enjeux-de-l-eau_4908313.html.
"Saulcy-sur-Meurthe. Les écoliers Sensibilisés à La Protection De L'eau." Vosges Matin. Last updated: May 6, 2022. https://www.vosgesmatin.fr/environnement/2022/05/06/les-ecoliers-sensibilises-a-la-protection-de-l-eau.
"Sensibilisation Des Scolaires." SEDIF - Syndicat Des Eaux D'Île-de-France - Home. Accessed October 13, 2022. https://www.sedif.com/sensibilisation-des-scolaires.aspx.
"Spézet. Children made aware of water preservation." Ouest-France. Last updated August 6, 2022. https://www.ouest-france.fr/bretagne/spezet-29540/les-enfants-sensibilises-a-la-preservation-de-leau-ebcd6d5e-56af-4638-a735-637c3b0a9abd.
"Wahou Ma Planète" : Des Activités Ludiques Pour Sensibiliser Ses Enfants à La Préservation De La Planète." POSITIVR. Last updated March 29, 2022. https://positivr.fr/des-activites-ludiques-pour-sensibiliser-ses-enfants-a-la-preservation-de-la-planete/.
" Au Fil De L'eau " : A Game To Raise Awareness About Water Issues." La Main à La Pâte Foundation. Accessed October 13, 2022. https://fondation-lamap.org/dossier-prime-prix-lamap/au-fil-de-l-eau-un-jeu-pour-sensibiliser-aux-problemes-de-l-eau.
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