Overview
In this two-part activity youth begin by discussing the causes and effects of climate change. Through a survey, they will reflect, share and brainstorm actions they are currently taking and will take (in both the near and far future) to prevent and lessen effects of global warming. The garden connection will continue to illustrate how we can act to prevent and mitigate climate change in the future.
Skill Level
All Skill Levels
Learner Outcomes, Youth will:
- Recognize the relationships between personal actions, evidence of global warming, climate change facts and sustainable methods.
- Explore and take different actions that foster sustainability in the natural world and promote sustainability in our everyday lives and in the garden.
- Connect with others to formulate solutions for sustainability.
Education Standards
- K-4.6; NS.5-8.6 Personal and Social Perspectives: Personal health
- 9-12.6 Personal and Social Perspectives: Personal and community health, Environmental quality, Science in local challenges
Success Indicators
Reflect on everyday practices and act to improve home and garden sustainability.
Life Skills
Community service, self-responsibility, healthy lifestyle choices
Time Needed
30 minutes, more depending on planning activity
Materials List
What Do I Do Now and What Can I Do Later? Handouts, one for each person, pens, pencils, plain paper, sticky note pads, chart paper for planning.
Youth Handout
What Do I Do Now and What Can I Do Later? Handout
Space
A garden that the group has been working in and or a place to write in the garden or indoor space.
Suggested Group Size
12-15 or more
Acknowledgements
Adapted from Climate Change in the Garden: One Seed at a Time: Prevention and Mitigation Benchmarks,Cornell Garden-Based Learning
Introduction
In this two-part activity youth begin by discussing the causes and effects of climate change. Through a survey, they will reflect, share and brainstorm actions they are currently taking and will take (in both the near and far future) to prevent and lessen effects of global warming. The garden connection will continue to illustrate how we can act to prevent and mitigate climate change in the future.
Opening Questions
Think about the human activities that impact climate. How can we change and/or adapt what we do to responsibly address global and local climate issues and sustain a healthy community? How can we initiate ways and teach and lead others to do the same? What steps can we take to establish ecological sustainability in our garden?
Background Information
Before the Activity
Review and gather materials, handouts. Cut each copy of the handout What Do I Do Now and What Can I Do Later? into thirds, for each person to have one of these parts:
- Part “A” -In the last week I took these climate change actions.
- Part “B” -Next week I will take these climate change actions.
- Part “C” -As an adult, I will take these climate change actions.
Use this list of “Ten Simple Things” examples to guide your discussion, and/or expand upon and continue the discussion in more detail. Consider the skill level of your group. Those marked with an asterisk are more appropriate for intermediate and/or advanced skill levels.
#1. Take a hike, ride a bike.
#2. Grow Something and Eat It.
Grow vegetables and herbs in your garden or in containers on your porch or terrace. This will help you eat more plants and cut down trips to the supermarket. Use organic methods, compost and mulches.
#3. Get wormy.
Home composting helps lighten the burden on landfills and in the garden. Build an indoor worm bin or compost system in your yard for all your kitchen and garden waste.
#4. Plant Something for bees and pollinators, even in containers!
#5. Recycle something.
Recycling paper, cardboard, cans, and bottles also helps reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with landfills.
#6. Think before you buy.
Choose products that generate the least waste and make sure that you compost all organic waste.
#7. Work with your family to buy from local farms and markets.
Food transportation causes tremendous amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.
#8. *Unplug and shut down: work with your family to:
- Reduce electricity and gasoline consumption by using more energy‐efficient products.
- Replace regular outdoor and indoor light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
- Keep outdoor automatic light timers instead of keeping lights on at night.
- Use solar‐ powered path lights and garden products.
- Ask your family to have a building energy audit.
#9. *Stand up and say something.
Contact your elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels and urge them to implement a strong plan of action to combat global warming, such as placing mandatory limits on the nation’s global warming pollution and raising fuel economy standards for cars and sport utility vehicles.
#10. *Invent a simple tool or repurpose an object to replace plastic.
Let’s Do It!
Part One: Introduce the activity and survey your group
Distribute Part A of the What Do I Do Now and What Can I Do Later? handout, ask them to mark checks next to each thing they did in the past week. Use chart paper to jot down their other actions taken that are not on these lists.
In the last week I took these climate change actions:
- Took the bus, walked or ride a bike rather than being driven by car.
- Recycled or repurposed paper.
- Recycled or repurposed plastic.
- Unplugged electric cords when not in use and shut off lights when I left the room.
- Did not let water run excessively.
- Composted food scraps.
- Other action(s) I took.
When competed, have them share their actions with the whole group. Ask: Is there something not on this list you have done that you can share with the group? Next, ask them to complete Part B of the What Do I Do Now and What Can I Do Later? handout.
Next week I will take these climate change actions:
- Grow something and eat It.
- Join a garden club or one that cares about the environment.
- Take a hike, ride my bike, walk.
- Unplug and go outside.
- Start a compost bin.
- Plant for Pollinators.
- Stand up and say something.
- Recycle, repurpose or reuse something I would not usually.
- Invent a simple tool or repurpose an object to replace plastic.
- Other action(s) I will take.
When completed, have them share their actions with the whole group. Ask: Is there something not on this list you will do that you can share with the group? Is there something on the list I would like to do, but may not be able to right now?
Lastly, ask them to think about their future selves, and complete Part C of the What Do I Do Now and What Can I Do Later? handout. If needed, explain that there are things on this list that are free or cost very little, however some may require time and money. Pose the question “As an adult, which of these would you like to commit to doing?”
In the future, I will consider taking these climate change actions:
- Grow food organically.
- Practice sustainable gardening and landscaping.
- Use solar energy and other energy efficiency for my home.
- Recycle, repurpose or reuse,
- Compost at home and work.
- Drive a hybrid or electric car.
- Use rideshare/carpool when possible.
- Use LED lighting.
- Use mass transit.
- Eat more plants.
- Plant for Pollinators.
- Other action(s) I will take.
Part Two: The Garden Connection
- Make the connection of these everyday 10 Simple Things to your garden program.
- Write the headings of these ten steps on chart paper to organize garden tasks and plan ultimate goals. Make modifications to best meet the needs of your program and skill level of your group.
- Brainstorm to expand this list. Use sticky notes for participants to jot down additional tasks and ideas for each step, and have them add their ideas under the appropriate heading on the chart paper. Your group may come up with dozens of additional ways to improve sustainability in your garden program!
- Reorder these steps to meet the needs of your program, which can be a wonderful group planning activity and road map to achieving your garden/program goals. This will also help you assess the ecological sustainability of your garden and program.
- Consider the skill levels of these tasks for a more age-appropriate discussion and action, and that some of these tasks may require family or adult cooperation.
#1 Right Plant, Right Place= fewer inputs.
Look at the design and eco-system of your garden, be sure plants are located where they will thrive best: sun/shade. Think low maintenance by replacing lawns with meadow plants, groundcovers, or a wildflowers patch.
#2 Keep it Healthy!
- Have the soil tested by your local Cooperative Extension office for proper pH and add amendments as needed.
- Choose pest and disease resistant plant varieties.
- Read plant tags and seed packets to learn about each plant’s light, water and other requirements.
- Place plants according to the size they will grow into, so they will not overshadow or crowd out neighboring plants.
#3 Organic Matters!
- Use organic matter to build up the soil.
- Replace synthetic fertilizers with compost and organic mulches.
- Feed your garden with organic, slow‐release fertilizers when an extra boost is needed.
#4 Plant Pollinators and Natives!
- Invite beneficial insects and pollinators by selecting plants that attract them.
- Remove invasive species from the garden and plant native ones instead.
- Plant a diverse range of native blooming and fruiting plants in your garden
#5 Save Water!
During summer months and droughts, water and resources become scarce. Save water by:
- using plants that are drought tolerant
- adding mulch or organic matter around plants
- installing rain barrels
- watering earlier or later in the day when it is not as hot
- using drip irrigation
#6 Plant a Rain Garden.
Rain gardens capture storm water runoff helps prevent polluting local lakes, streams, and coastal waters.
#7 Reduce Waste with a Compost System.
Compost kitchen and garden waste. Recycle lawn clippings and leaves in your compost pile or bin. Remember not to add diseased plants to your compost, and learn about what can and cannot be composted.
#8 Plant Trees!
Commit to planting a certain number of trees each year.
#9 Unplug!
Use push mowers, hand clippers, and rakes
#10 Keep a Garden Journal.
Write down observations and keep track of plant lists, completed and “to do” tasks. Plant tags and seed packets include useful information and plant facts you may need to refer to: save them and tape in your journal pages.