Environment Week empowers positive Earth action
22 Aug 2024
Most College students are taking a sustainable approach when travelling to school, with 62% favouring an environment-friendly journey compared with 38% who use fossil-fuel transport, a new student survey shows.
The survey is part of a busy Environment Week at College, with a range of activities to lift sustainability awareness and highlight the need for environmental action.
College Head of Environment Matthew Flint believes that “in order to make true, positive change for the environment, it requires many individual efforts”.
“These efforts do not have to be drastic,” he says. “Instead, small, sustainable changes to our everyday life – made by many – are far further reaching then huge efforts made by only a few. Too many of my fellow students believe that in order to engage with positive action, they need to make huge sacrifices to their way of life. That can lead to an apathetic outlook on the environment, with people not prepared to make those changes. The best way to encourage people to keep making efforts is to acknowledge those changes that are already happening, rather than demanding they give more.
“This fosters a better relationship with the environment and opens the door to students caring about New Zealand’s beautiful native environment while instilling each with a sense of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and a passion to look after their world.”
Meanwhile, a lunchtime Enviro Kahoot! has underlined the importance of knowing the answers in order to proactively find a solution to protect the world – from sky to sea. During the competitive Kahoot!, Year 12 Somes House student Alex Johnston has impressed while providing most of the answers.
Among the questions posed were: ‘What is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming?’ and ‘What is the largest source of ocean pollution?’ You can find the answers at the bottom of the story.
Wanting to also support the College-based Eco-Action Nursery, members of the Environment Committee have whipped up tasty treats for hungry students, hosting a bake sale on the Quad and raising $500.
Answers
What is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming? – carbon dioxide
What is the largest source of ocean pollution? – plastic waste
