The 2021 global Lancet survey of young people found: 89 percent were at least moderately concerned About climate change, many people report feelings of sadness and anger. This concern arises from two key factors: the sheer scale of the problem and the perceived inaction of governments and institutions. Further exacerbating these concerns is the feeling of powerlessness among many young people to make a meaningful impact.

Rather than succumbing to despair, some young people were spurred to action; proactive youth groups and activists mobilized to demand accountability from leaders. Educators also have an important role in ensuring and supporting students to look to the future with confidence.

Educational group with more than 100,000 students International Schools Partnership (ISP) In addressing key issues such as emissions, plastics and recycling, leaders recognize the importance of a well-defined environmental strategy that involves the whole school community, including teachers, pupils and parents. By incorporating sustainability into learning opportunities, students are encouraged to move beyond passive observation and take meaningful daily action, which helps reduce stress levels.

What does empowerment look like?

“Our vision is to cultivate the world’s most curious, confident minds, and implementing sustainability is key to developing this mindset,” explains Steve Brown, CEO of ISP. He sees students as powerful agents of change, for whom ISP is positioned to provide them with the resources, environments and opportunities they need to make a tangible difference.

Today, the ISP Changemakers Program provides students with the tools and methodologies they need to develop social impact projects, with more than 43 active projects in 15 markets across the global ISP network. Students learn skills that will enable them to take action on issues that concern their schools and communities, from climate change to biodiversity.

Real world results

Students aged 14-16 at Tenby Schools in Malaysia have started a composting project that turns food and garden waste into fertilizer for the school garden. In Ecuador, Liceo Panamericano Samborondón’s reforestation project involved students in planting trees to increase vegetation cover and promote environmental protection.

At Fontenebro International School in Madrid, the school’s environmental committee, made up of student representatives aged 6 to 11, devised a plan to manage heavy recycling by collecting it during playtime, ensuring student involvement and education. After consulting with local environmental councillors, the school launched a project that would enable students to see the impact of their advocacy by improving recycling capabilities at school.

“We can and should leverage our network of more than 100,000 students to demonstrate the impact of collective action,” Brown says. “Linking a student’s actions to what’s happening in their classroom, their school, and across our network is a powerful tool to reduce climate concerns by showing them the power they have to make a real difference.”

Framework for the future

With a research and data-driven approach to increasing learning impact, the organization is implementing a range of programs across its global network of schools, reviewing its own business practices to operate more sustainably, and providing experiential learning opportunities to engage thousands of students in environmental issues. and social sustainability.

In the Middle East, ISP uses a framework spanning 11 schools to embed sustainability in all aspects of school life. The aim is to test how climate concern and perceptions of sustainability change over a period.

“The driving force behind our approach is to inspire and collaborate with students, empowering them to take leadership in problem solving, while we offer support every step of the way,” says Bharat Mansukhani, CEO of ISP’s Europe and Middle East Division. . “Children are smart and eager to make a difference. “We can empower them by providing a framework for effective change.”

A ripple effect

Early evidence highlights the importance of encouraging students to take meaningful action on environmental issues. As students witness the positive consequences of their actions, they will feel more confident and more capable of tackling global challenges. There is an expectation that student concerns will decrease as ISP continues to survey students and measure impact.

Parents also respond positively to the environmental focus, appreciating that their children are learning not only about the world as it is, but also how to shape it for the better. “ISP encourages a sense of shared responsibility for environmental challenges by involving families, school leaders, and teachers,” Brown says.

While sustainability initiatives have long existed, few organizations have successfully implemented them at scale. However, it is possible to adopt a consistent approach to combating the climate crisis with standardized practices placed in schools. At ISP, Brown is optimistic about the future. “By empowering students to take leadership, we can help combat climate anxiety and raise a new generation of resilient global citizens.”