This is a project to promote environmental preservation in schools and communities. There is substantial information on the preservation of the environment, but there’s no match that people are doing. On the internet, various websites promote the environment, offering lots of sources on reducing coal gas emissions, fighting climate change, and global warming.
Scientists have warned us of the looming danger if countries and governments continue to ignore this big environmental threat. There has been a gradual and hardly noticed a change in the climate of the world caused by gas emission, principally by carbon dioxide from burned coal.
As former Vice-President Al Gore, recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize said
“We, the human species, are confronting a planetary emergency — a threat to the survival of our civilization that is gathering ominous and destructive potential even as we gather here. But there is hopeful news as well: we can solve this crisis and avoid the worst — though not all — of its consequences, if we act boldly, decisively, and quickly.”
We have to accept this challenge. The students should do their move. It’s high time that environmental preservation is integrated into ordinary student activities. Students can be challenged to make environment programs as part of their school curriculum and their student life.
Making environmental awareness a hobby is also encouraged for the young.
Although there are courses geared towards environmental awareness and preservation, there is really little effort done by schools and universities on learning motivational factors to promote love and care for the environment. Even companies and corporations with environmental awareness as their corporate social responsibility do not have enough knowledge on how to put their so-called social programs in high gear.
Students always like to have a share in preserving the environment, but they realized there is a need for full cooperation from many sectors of society to materialize these goals. Moreover, they want to do even more than just stay in their classrooms or at home and think in vain of all the suggestions they want to deliver to people manufacturing non-biodegradable appliances, toys, and machines.
It’s time that they are given a chance to actively work for environment preservation in schools, communities, and other institutions of learning, making these areas as starting points, then from schools and universities to local businesses, organizations, and other areas not easily reached by local media.
This is not a difficult undertaking. There is no need of changing or modifying school curricula or programs. All they have to do is to incorporate the activities geared towards environment preservation. Students are aware of what is going on in the environment, they just need to be motivated to do necessary the measures.
Following activities are recommended to help preserve the environment:
- Segregation
- Recycling
- Environmental activities/awareness in and around the school
- Reduction of surplus inventories in factories and manufacturing plants
- Restriction of Hazardous Substance (RoHS), which restricts the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic components (IHS, 2008)
- Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), which deals with the recycling of electronic and electrical equipment (HIS, 2008)
Companies producing electronic appliances, toys, machines, vehicles, should control their over-supply in their warehouses to reduce garbage. One thing more, there should be responsible disposal of these appliances and other electronic appliances. They should not just be dumped in poor countries or the third world. There is not enough space for disposing of the garbage. Households must be informed of the way how to dispose of these appliances. These appliances can be recycled by environmental groups, and donated to charity.
Vocational schools can be tapped to repair electronic appliances and give them to charitable institutions. Much attention should be given to garbage electronic appliances, toys, and equipment because these are an environmental threat. They are made of plastic, synthetic, and other non-biodegradable materials harmful to humans and the environment. Inside these appliances are chemicals that would not easily dissolve to the ground when thrown irresponsibly.
In schools, the students should be encouraged to work full time on ways and means to preserve the environment. By starting in the classroom, responsible disposal of waste materials should be encouraged.
A massive information campaign can be done in schools, communities, the internet, reaching all peoples and countries, with students spearheading these activities. Networking of schools and universities around the globe for environmental awareness is a big move geared towards environmental awareness. This is not impossible, but doable. Our students should be leaders of the world when it comes to preserving our world.
References
IHS Inc. (NYSE: IHS) (2008). Environmental Compliance Management Solutions. Web.
International Herald Tribune (2007). Excerpts from Al Gore’s Nobel Prize speech. Web.