Across diverse countries and cultures, incredible individuals and organizations are coming together for a common purpose – to drive positive sustainability and environmental change. At Environmental Scouts, our mission revolves around forging connections among these dedicated voices and crafting a cohesive global curriculum. This curriculum aims to provide comprehensive education on these critical topics. Our initial strides in this direction were evident through the launch of our Change-Maker series. Building upon this foundation, we have taken further steps by collaboratively developing a comprehensive curriculum in partnership with many NGO Partners, Collidescope.io, and the Cadence learning platform.
Our ultimate goal is to deliver this curriculum directly to students within schools. However, recognizing the financial constraints and obstacles often present in educational systems, we’ve identified a significant opportunity to first engage adult learners in their professional environments through corporate ESG partnerships. This strategic approach empowers adults to not only gain knowledge but also share it within their families, communities, and eventually within schools. This holistic effort brings with it substantial financial and logistical backing, strengthening the impact of our mission.
Founding Curriculum Impact Partners
Curriculum Categories
- Policy & Advocacy: Review current policies around sourcing of materials, fair wages to third-world factory workers, waste disposal, and more. Learn how to be advocates and change makers within your family, organization, and community.
- Climate Justice: Discover how the climate crisis disproportionately impacts low-income groups and communities of color. Explore individual and collective actions that ensure environmental justice and equity.
- Business Solutions: Understand how consumers and businesses have contributed to environmental crises such as plastic pollution, fast fashion, and carbon emissions. Discover how the same stakeholders are positioned to offer solutions like sustainable fashion and decarbonization.
- Preserving Ecosystems: Investigate the connection between wildlife, ecosystems, and human behavior. Identify effective conservation efforts, the importance of pollinators, the dangers of synthetic pesticides, and the connection between healthy soil and healthy food.
- Sustainable Communities: Explore the characteristics of sustainably-designed cities, including urban agriculture, green spaces, mobility, energy use, and waste management. Consider how concepts like circular design, zero-waste, and food sovereignty transform communities.
- Behavioral & Social Sustainability: Understand that true sustainability is found at the intersection between human behavior, the environment, and the economy. Analyze how individual behavior change and collective, systemic change impact families, business, and communities.
- Economics of Sustainability: Discover the positive economic impacts of sustainability. Examine the environmental and social impacts of a linear versus circular economy, including a system in which products are designed to promote ecological wellness, rather than designed for the landfill.
Educational Resources
Plastic Pollution
Reducing plastic pollution is critically important due to its far-reaching ecological, environmental, and human health implications. Plastic waste poses a severe threat to marine life, as countless marine animals mistake plastic debris for food or become entangled in it, leading to injury and death. Moreover, plastic pollution disrupts aquatic ecosystems and harms fragile marine habitats, contributing to biodiversity loss. The persistence of plastic in the environment, taking hundreds of years to decompose, leads to the accumulation of micro-plastics that can enter the food chain, ultimately affecting human health. Addressing plastic pollution requires a concerted global effort, involving the reduction of single-use plastics, increased recycling, and innovative alternatives. By curbing plastic pollution, we not only protect marine life and ecosystems but also secure a healthier future for generations to come.
Conservation of Creatures on LAND
Conservation of animals on land is of paramount importance as it safeguards the intricate balance of ecosystems and preserves Earth’s biodiversity. From majestic predators to the tiniest of insects, every species plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and functionality of their habitats. By protecting these creatures, we ensure the continuity of intricate food chains, seed dispersal mechanisms, and natural processes that sustain plant life and, by extension, human livelihoods. Furthermore, many species hold immense potential for medical and scientific discoveries that can benefit human well-being. The loss of any species can set off a chain reaction of ecological disruptions, leading to habitat degradation and loss of vital resources. By embracing animal conservation efforts on land, we not only honor the intrinsic value of each species but also secure the resilience and vitality of our planet for generations to come.
Conservation of Creatures in the OCEAN and other BODIES OF WATER
Animal conservation of creatures in the ocean is a vital and urgent endeavor that seeks to protect the intricate web of marine life and ecosystems that span our planet’s vast watery expanses. The oceans harbor a dazzling array of life forms, from the majestic whales and graceful sea turtles to the tiniest plankton and vibrant coral reefs. However, these ecosystems are under increasing threat from climate change, overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and other human-induced stressors. Efforts in animal conservation aim not only to safeguard individual species but also to maintain the delicate balance of these underwater habitats, which contribute to oxygen production, carbon sequestration, and overall global ecological stability. Through the establishment of marine protected areas, sustainable fishing practices, public awareness campaigns, and international cooperation, dedicated conservationists strive to ensure the survival of these precious oceanic creatures for generations to come.
Conservation of Creatures in the AIR
Animal conservation for creatures in the air is super important. Birds, insects, and even bats are totally vital to our ecosystem. They help with stuff like pollination, seed dispersal, and even controlling pests. But these flying buddies are facing some major challenges. Habitat loss because of deforestation and urbanization is a big issue. Climate change is messing with their migration patterns and the availability of food. And let’s not forget about pollution, which is seriously harming their homes and health. It’s totally on us to step up and make a change, whether it’s by protecting their habitats, reducing pollution, or supporting laws that help these airborne creatures. We must remember that the sky’s not just for airplanes – it’s their home too, and we must make sure they can keep soaring through it.
Sustainable Agriculture / Food Justice
Sustainable agriculture and food justice form the cornerstone of a more equitable and resilient food system. Sustainable agriculture seeks to balance environmental health, economic viability, and social equity by employing practices that conserve natural resources, minimize pollution, and prioritize long-term soil fertility. Simultaneously, food justice addresses the structural inequalities embedded within our food system, aiming to ensure that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic background, has access to nutritious, culturally appropriate, and affordable food. By intertwining these principles, we can forge a path towards a future where agriculture nourishes both the planet and its inhabitants, fostering not only environmental regeneration but also social inclusivity and empowerment.
Climate Change (AKA the Climate Crisis)
Climate change refers to the long-term alteration of Earth’s average weather patterns, driven primarily by human activities that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This phenomenon has given rise to a pressing global issue known as the climate crisis. As these gases accumulate, they trap heat and cause a gradual rise in global temperatures, leading to a cascade of far-reaching impacts. The consequences of the climate crisis are vast and encompass more frequent and intense extreme weather events, sea level rise, disruptions in ecosystems and biodiversity, shifts in agricultural productivity, and threats to human health and well-being. Urgent action is imperative to mitigate further damage, transitioning towards sustainable practices, embracing renewable energy sources, and fostering international cooperation to address this critical challenge and safeguard the planet for future generations.
Environmental Ethics
Environmental ethics is a philosophical framework that delves into the moral dimensions of our relationship with the natural world. It seeks to address questions concerning the intrinsic value of the environment, the ethical responsibilities humans hold toward non-human entities, and the appropriate ways to balance human needs and desires with the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity. Rooted in a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all life forms and the finite nature of Earth’s resources, environmental ethics prompts us to reflect on the long-term consequences of our actions on the planet. It challenges us to develop a sense of empathy and stewardship for the environment, advocating for sustainable practices, conservation efforts, and the reevaluation of our consumer-driven lifestyles. In essence, environmental ethics calls for a paradigm shift in which we view nature not merely as a resource to exploit, but as a complex web of life deserving of respect, protection, and ethical consideration.
