Plastic-Free World & Responsible Consumption and Sustainability of Actions definition
Plastic-Free World
More than 3 million tons of plastic are thrown out by Canadians. Only 9% is recycled, but the rest ends up in landfills, waste incineration facilities, or in nature. Plastic waste is a big burden for our economy and threatens to harm our environment including wildlife, lakes, rivers, and oceans. (3)
Now is the time to act! We need to change the way we design, use, and dispose of plastic waste. Together we can keep plastic in the economy and out of the environment. (4)
The Canadian government is committed to reducing plastic waste in the environment. It invites teachers to include the following suggestions in their lessons. Help the young leaders of tomorrow by incorporating education about plastic in their curriculum. (5)
● Climate Kids – Plastics Game: https://climatekids.ca/
● Ocean Plastic Education: https://plasticsedkit.ocean.org/
● Clean Seas Back to School Campaign: https://www.cleanseas.org/back-school
● Clean Nova Scotia Foundation – Teacher Resource: https://clean.ns.ca/cleanschools/
● Recycling Council of Ontario – School Resources: https://rco.on.ca/resources/schools-educators/
● Join the Plastic Bag Grab challenge: http://www.plasticbaggrab.com/
Responsible Consumption and Sustainability of Actions
This strategy aims to direct all of our actions — especially those linked to the consumption of goods and services — towards sustainable development. The successful implementation of this strategy guarantees balance in the economic, ecological, and social spheres.
“Sustainable development is a development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs''. This definition is from the 1983 Brundtland commission and was also adopted by the Federal Sustainable Development Law in Canada; approved by parliament in June 2008. Sustainable development consists of achieving and maintaining a natural and man-made environment; as well as a just and vibrant society with a functional economy, for present and future generations. (6)
On September 25th, 2015, world leaders adopted a shared set of objectives to eradicate poverty, protect Earth and ensure prosperity for everybody as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each objective involves specific goals that must be reached within the next 15 years. To achieve these goals, everyone has to do their part. (7)
Likewise, the UN released a guide under the name “170 Actions to Transform our World” which could be an excellent starting point to incorporate into our program classes. The guide is available at the following link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iMdE6DLLuCqwq3K9U-DaTUWB6KyMa8QG/view?usp=sharing
[1] https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/corporate/mandate/about-agency/sustainable-development.html
[1] https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/objetivos-de-desarrollo-sostenible/
These projects are encased within the scope of this strategy and must ensure sustainability in the use and management of natural resources. Natural resources include water, energy, supplies and raw materials, fauna, and flora.
Criteria involving human rights and economic efficiency must also be followed during the projects.
