ISBA

9 Managing sustainability in the classroom and the estate As the new academic year begins, Elena Lutterkort , senior sustainability consultant at Savills, offers some ideas to encourage pupils, educators and administrators to tackle the climate challenge in the coming year. The end of the 2020/21 academic year was marked by extreme climate events – floods and fires in Europe and Asia, extreme heat, wildfires and drought in North America – amidst the rise of another wave of coronavirus cases. For those working in education at all levels, it was also one of the most challenging years ever experienced, handling many changes to the way classes are taught and managed, while balancing the welfare of pupils and staff. In this context, new themes around sustainability – both how to manage it physically among your organisation and as a topic in the classroom – are likely to be high on the agenda this term. Emerging eco-anxiety Our young citizens are carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. At least that is how they feel. A 2020 survey of 2,000 young people aged eight to 16 indicated that 73 percent of respondents were worried about the state of the planet and three out of five said they felt that their voices aren’t being heard. Research reported in the Lancet in September 2020 also points out that those in the 10 – 24 age group ‘might be disproportionally affected’ by feelings of eco-anxiety. This shouldn’t be surprising. Pupils are often presented with brutal facts around the science of climate change without an accompanying action or solution, and also feel that they are the ones that are going to face the consequences of previous generations’ inaction. Moreover, there is a perception that those in power, or adults in a position of respect such as teachers and parents, aren’t taking action or preparing pupils to be able to contribute solutions to the climate crisis. Empowering staff and pupils to transition from feeling like passengers on a sinking ship to deck hands and eventually captains able to steer the course, will help combat the sense of helplessness and disconnection that is associated with eco-anxiety. @the_isba Autumn 2021 | Environmental sustainability Nations across the globe have started outlining their policies and longer term aims for climate action in preparation for COP26 in Glasgow in November