NJEF: Discussing Climate and Environmental Issues

How do we discuss environmental issues in a way that promotes realistic, constructive engagement? Inundating students about the end of the earth does not work. How can we discuss environmental issues in ways that help students evaluate issues and constructively engage with them? How do we help them take care of themselves maintaining hope and community in the face of challenges?
(Jan 2022)

[@mendyviola]

It’s sad that climate change has become political. I’m in a FB Gardening group here in Houston, and a lot of our conversations are about drought tolerant and freeze tolerant plants that can survive - a relatively new challenge in our area. The discussions always steer back to planting natives and moving away from grass lawns and non-native tropical plants. After every severe weather event, we are comparing notes on what thrived or recovered. Landscaping is expensive. Also, a lot of cities and neighborhoods down here are now sponsoring trash clean up days with a festival vibe: t-shirts, hot dogs, iced tea, etc. One thing most neighborhoods do well down here is clearing trash/debris from the drainage systems. It’s in our own self interest so that roads can drain quickly with the heavy rain also get down here regularly.

[@rezajamshidi8685]

Hi John. I send you an email. Did you see it?😊

[@mendyviola]

23:20 homeless have limited means/abilities to dispose of their trash. Homeless camps do not have garbage services like the homes populations in most cities. Also when their camps are cleared out, they have a very limited amount of time to decide what to pack up and take with them. The homeless issue is an entirely different topic but still relevant to the environment.