WHAT IS AN EARTH PROTECTOR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION?

Earth Protector Educational Institutes play an integral part in the educational aspect of Earth Protector Communities. This collaborative movement of schools, colleges or universities seeks, through 6 basic guidelines, ways to protect the Earth

In declaring itself an Earth Protector Educational Institute, the organisation undertakes to collaborate with staff, students, parents, other educational establishments, local communities and other relevant organisations to protect land, wildlife, soil and water.

An Earth Educational Institute puts at the heart of its educational practice the emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing of young people and staff, in recognition that wellbeing is intrinsically connected to planetary health and thriving local ecosystems.

The educational institute also publicly supports the Stop Ecocide campaign in its legal and diplomatic work to make Ecocide an international crime.

Towns, businesses, campaign groups, educational institutions and NGOs are invited to endorse the Stop Ecocide campaign by registering here:https://www.stopecocide.earth/manifesto-summary

 

HOW IS AN EARTH PROTECTOR EDUCATIONAL ORGANISATION DIFFERENT?

  • Looking through the “ecocide looking glass”: in practical terms an EP educational organisation is guided by the principle “First Do No Harm”. When used to focus on energy use, waste, catering, procurement and curriculum, such a lens opens up a new standpoint: one of seeking to protect, to regenerate what has been lost or neglected, to devise projects where imagination and creativity can flourish.
  • Safeguarding mental and emotional wellbeing is prioritized through frequent opportunities for time and immersion in Nature.
  • Restoring our connection with the natural world – with the understanding that we are Nature – leads us to learn and live in a healthier way.
  • Student initiative and self-empowerment is encouraged so that confident exploring, monitoring and research can map the educational organisation’s impact in all these areas.

WHAT DOES MY COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY HAVE TO DO TO BECOME AN EARTH PROTECTOR SCHOOL

There are six goals for an Earth Protector Schools:

Recognise that building emotional resilience is a key aspect of responding effectively to the climate crisis

Engage students and staff in moving beyond the concept of sustainability to the regenerative model

Find whole school strategies to this end with time specific goals in place (including a strategy and date to achieve a carbon zero future)

Protect and enhance eco-systems, habitats and species in and around the school

Pioneer the reduction and elimination of single use plastic

Explore and promote awareness of, and solutions to, climate and ecological emergencies

The school pledges that all investment decisions are based upon the ethical and environmental practices of the institutions involved and move us away from fossil fuel dependency
These goals form a framework for a steering group to audit, plan and monitor the activities and projects which will help to protect and enhance the environment in and around the school.

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

You could start by creating a staff/student steering group for your school to look at what is currently being done and audit the activities of the school to see where any improvements can be made.

Has your school declared a climate emergency and committed to become carbon neutral by 2030?

Are there other things your school is doing that you’d like to tell us about?

 

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