Teaching human impact on the environment can be challenging. It’s hard not to be negative sometimes.  But the best human impact lesson we could possibly deliver is HOPE.

Without hope, what’s the point? Kids need to know that something can be done.

In the past, when I taught my “Human Impact on the Environment” unit, I always felt like I was teaching that doom and gloom is everywhere…  pollution, habitat destruction, climate woes, extinction, overharvested resources.  And worse… it came across as kind of hopeless.

I never felt quite right about this approach despite it all being true.  So, a few years back, I decided to switch my “spin”.

Approach is Everything

Now, instead of making it as though our Earth is destined for demise, I present all the ways that kids can HELP.  Instead of figuratively throwing our hands up in defeat, I encourage kids to get their hands dirty to make some meaningful changes.

After all, we do not have to accept that the Earth will have an awful fate.  We can change this!  And our kiddos are the ones to do it!  It’s our job to help them feel that they have the power to make change.

If you feel the same, resolve to change your approach this year.  Here are a few thoughts:

Change Your Spin

Approach the topics from a problem/solution mindset.  Present the problem first, but spend more time on what can be done to impart change.  The whole focus shouldn’t be on the problem… the focus should be on how to fix it.  

This “let’s fix it” idea is represented in the national NGSS standards, so this approach is best practice, anyway! NGSS LS2-5 reads: Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services. Examples of ecosystem services could include water purification, nutrient recycling, and prevention of soil erosion. Examples of design solution constraints could include scientific, economic, and social considerations.

Choose Your Language Wisely

Use language that instills ownership of the solution.  When you speak about human impact on the environment, use “we” and “you” when discussing solutions. This is not someone else’s problem to figure out – it’s ours. When teachers use this language when talking about solutions, it allows kids to see themselves as the problem-fixers.  

Emphasize Personal Responsibility

Encourage kids to take responsibility for their own actions, such as reducing waste, conserving energy and water, and making sustainable choices. Explain the concept of sustainable living, including using eco-friendly products, reducing single-use plastics, and conserving resources.

During a human impact lesson, present kids with actual examples of low-waste packing, eco-friendly cleaning products, reusable water bottles, refillable toiletries, and cloth shopping bags. By seeing that they have choices in the products they use, kids understand that they have the power to reduce their impact on the environment.

Highlight the Good

An important part of teaching hope for the environment is to let kids know that lots of people are working really hard to make things better. Reach out to local environmental groups to show kids what good is happening.  The free website EnvironmentalGroups.us has an awesome clickable map of the U.S. that pulls up lots of environmental groups by state.  Find one near you to learn more about what classroom resources they have.  In my experience, groups like this are excited and prepared to share their work with students! (And they usually have state standards-aligned programs ready to go!)

Promote Participation

Facilitate participation in an environmental study.  (Easier than it sounds!)  Use this free resource to have kids participate in a Citizens Science project.  Citizen Science projects are a great way to help kids see that they can contribute to environmental studies.  So-called “other people” don’t do the work.  WE can do the work!  

Highlight Local Issues

Assign a LOCAL ECOSYSTEMS problem/solution project.  At the conclusion of my Human Impact unit, I do a research project where kids look into a problem in a local ecosystem and propose a solution.  I tailored this to our school’s town, but I also created a version that can be used in any town.  I often hear back from students that this project helped them to feel like something can be done. 

Something CAN Be Done

It’s not hopeless. Environment issues can be lessened or even resolved. As teachers, we are in a better position than anyone to impart change. Teaching kids that they can make a difference is on us. When you teach a human impact lesson, make sure you highlight the hope.

LET’S DO THIS!