Singapore Green Guardians Blog

This week, we wanted to continue the conversation about acting as an environmentally literate citizen by living a greener lifestyle! From shifting to sustainable products to researching local climate issues, there are a million things you can do to transition to a greener lifestyle. To eliminate some of the stress of getting started, we have prepared a checklist that can serve as a guide for your green journey!  

Need some more information before you get started? Visit last week’s blog to read more about the connection between environmental literacy and a green lifestyle. 

For a Greener Home: 

❑ Turn off and unplug appliances such as TVs, lamps, computers, and phones when not in use 

❑ Regularly replace filters in heaters, air conditioning, and dryers 

❑ Curate gardens with native plants and trees 

❑ Create a compost bin and reduce food waste 

❑ Buy non-toxic and plant-based cleaning products 

While we encourage people to use products they are comfortable with, these are some Green Guardians favorites for a greener home: Blueland for non-toxic, plastic free home cleaning products, OhmConnect to save on energy bills and consumption, Native Plants Finder 

For a Greener Lifestyle: 

❑ Buy less – take a minimalist approach to purchases 

❑ Read and share books on climate change and eco-living 

❑ Shop locally for produce and shop second-hand for clothing and décor 

❑ Drive or rent an electric, hybrid, or hydrogen car to reduce CO2 emissions 

❑ Use zero-waste alternatives such as glass straws, reusable cotton rounds, and detergent 

Some Green Guardians favorites for a greener lifestyle: A Better Planet: Forty Big Ideas for a Sustainable Future, Climate Change Podcasts, How to Save a Planet, Climate-Friendly Supermarkets, Loop Store, Thrift Books 

For Active Engagement: 

❑ Encourage schools to: 

▫ Switch to solar energy  

▫ Take classes outdoors 

▫ Create green spaces (I.e., gardens, recycling centers) 

▫ Offer plant-based meals 

▫ Ditch single-use plastic 

❑ Join a climate activist group such as Climate Reality and Citizen’s Climate Lobby 

❑ Educate yourself and vote for candidates that have a progressive platform 

❑ Create or join a sustainability/green team at your workplace or in your community 

❑ Discuss green living and climate change with friends and family to encourage action 

Some Green Guardians favorites for active engagement: The Natural Resources Defense Council: Guide to Talking With Kids of All Ages About Climate Change, Climate Reality Chapters, One Green Planet Petitions 

Relevant Links

How Clean is Your Electric Vehicle? 

Electric cars tend to produce less carbon pollution than gas-powered ones—but just how much less? This tool allows you to see how clean your electric vehicle is compared to those in your local area! 

5 Climate Action Chores for Kids | The Climate Reality Project Blog  

While many kids may not be fully equipped to truly tackle the science and stakes of the climate crisis until they’re a bit older, you can lay a strong foundation for future learning and action by engaging your child in some age-appropriate activities that will instill a sense of environmental responsibility that they will carry with them into adulthood. 

Climate Action  

Established in 2007 and headquartered in London, UK, Climate Action establishes and builds partnerships between business, government, and public bodies to accelerate international sustainable development and advance the ‘green economy’.  

The Climate Reality Project  

The Climate Reality Project has the mission to create a global sense of urgency on climate change and catalyze a planet-wide shift to clean energy to solve it. Founded and chaired by Nobel Laureate and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, they share the truth of climate disruption with communities around the world and empower people everywhere with the knowledge and tools to help create a sustainable future. 

Terracycle  

TerraCycle is Eliminating the Idea of Waste®. They develop ways to make things that are typically non-recyclable nationally recyclable such as chewing gum, cigarette butts, and even dirty diapers. They integrate recycled materials into new products and create platforms that move consumers from disposable, single-use packaging to durable, reusable packaging without sacrificing the economics and convenience that make disposable products desirable. 

As we look at ways to advance environmental literacy for students across the nation, climate change is at the front of many students’ minds. However, most teachers don’t teach climate change, either because they feel that climate change is too daunting to discuss in the classroom, or that it doesn’t apply to their subject matter (NPR/Ipsos 2019). Many others see the large systems issues that need addressing and identify them as being too big to confront individually. But students want to be educated about these issues and want to learn how they can make a difference. Think about it, each person making one small act could equal 7 billion actions to fight climate change! By taking the step to learn more as an individual – whether you are a student, teacher, parent, or policy-maker – you can increase the momentum for change wherever you reside. No matter how big or small your actions are, each step towards a more sustainable lifestyle can make a difference in the fight against climate change and the advancement of environmental literacy for all citizens of the world.  

“An environmentally literate person has the capacity to act individually and with others to support ecologically sound, economically prosperous, and equitable communities for present and future generations.” 

 – A Blueprint for Environmental Literacy (2015) 

The climate crisis is an omnipresent issue in our world today. From global temperatures rising to an influx of natural disasters, people across the world are experiencing the devastating effects of human contribution to our environment. It can be overwhelming to find a way to reverse or lessen the effects of climate change in our daily lives, so we wanted to share some ways that individuals can make a difference through sustainable changes in their routines.  

One of the easiest ways to get started on your green living journey is by minimizing your use of single-use plastics. Items such as plastic water bottles or grocery bags are often used out of convenience, but utilizing items such as reusable bottles or bags is a simple way to encourage businesses to stop supplying single-use plastics as well as limiting personal use of these items. Items such as personal care products, toys, and home cleaning products also fall into the “single-use” plastic category, so if alternatives are not easily accessible, using resources such as Terracycle’s Free Recycling programs that partner with notable brands (Hasbro Toy, Burt’s Bees, Colgate, and many more!) is a great way to get started. It’s as easy as printing out one of their free shipping labels and using an old package mailer or box lying around the house to ship them to the recycling centers that can easily process the materials. 

Everyone has heard that swapping to reusable materials is always a good way to transition to a green lifestyle, but did you know that you can swap out items in your home for ones that are more energy-efficient and cost-effective? For example, you can replace incandescent and CFL light bulbs with LED bulbs. You can also swap out older appliances and buy Energy Star models, running them during non-peak hours to save on your monthly bill! Another option if you are in the process of looking for a new home or renovating your current home, is to insulate your home and install double-pane windows. This allows for heat-loss prevention and can lower your overall heating bills. 

Making all of these changes to alternative, eco-friendly products is necessary for the future of our planet, but having a green lifestyle is one that supports organizations and continuous learning about how our actions can contribute to climate change. Encouraging your local businesses to support and stock green products or serve more plant-based meals is a fun way to start conversations and educate others about the climate crisis. You can also create conversations in the workplace about divesting from fossil fuel companies and investing in renewable energy companies such as SunPower or Tesla. You can buy carbon offsets when traveling by plane, ship, or rental car through Terrapass or 4AIR to make your commute more climate-friendly. All of these small actions add up, especially when we share our thoughts and concerns with others. The company we keep usually shares the same values, it just takes one person to start a conversation and inspire change! 

If you want to continue learning and become an advocate for green living, it’s important to seek out information about climate solutions as well as green practices happening in your local community! Check out the list of resources below, and feel free to share this article with a friend to get them started on their green lifestyle journey! 

Want to learn more about supporting a green lifestyle and advancing environmental literacy? Join our newsletter! 

Relevant Links 

4AIR 

4AIR is an aviation sustainability company assisting stakeholders in private aviation implement meaningful sustainability programs that meet and exceed industry commitments. 4AIR assists with environmental regulatory compliance and sources independent review to assure compliance with voluntary and regulatory commitments.

5 Climate Action Chores for Kids | The Climate Reality Project Blog 

While many kids may not be fully equipped to truly tackle the science and stakes of the climate crisis until they’re a bit older, you can lay a strong foundation for future learning and action by engaging your child in some age-appropriate activities that will instill a sense of environmental responsibility that they will carry with them into adulthood.

Climate Action 

Established in 2007 and headquartered in London, UK, Climate Action establishes and builds partnerships between business, government, and public bodies to accelerate international sustainable development and advance the ‘green economy’. 

The Climate Reality Project 

The Climate Reality Project has the mission to create a global sense of urgency on climate change and catalyze a planet-wide shift to clean energy to solve it. Founded and chaired by Nobel Laureate and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, they share the truth of climate disruption with communities around the world and empower people everywhere with the knowledge and tools to help create a sustainable future.

ENERGY STAR®  

ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including nearly 40% of the Fortune 500®—partner with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions that protect the climate while improving air quality and protecting public health. 

SunPower 

SunPower designs all-in-one residential and commercial solar and storage solutions backed by personal customer service and the industry’s most comprehensive warranty.

Terracycle 

TerraCycle is Eliminating the Idea of Waste®. They develop ways to make things that are typically non-recyclable nationally recyclable. In their research, they have found that few things are beyond recycling, and have found solutions for chewing gum, cigarette butts, and even dirty diapers. They integrate recycled materials into new products, such as working with some of the world’s biggest brands to turn ocean plastic into shampoo bottles. Or toothpaste tubes into playgrounds. They create platforms that move consumers from disposable, single-use packaging to durable, reusable packaging without sacrificing the economics and convenience that make disposable products desirable.

Terrapass 

Terrapass is dedicated to the fight against climate change. Their mission is to provide the resources necessary for companies and individuals to understand and take responsibility for their climate impact through offsetting carbon emissions.

Tesla 

Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy through increasingly affordable electric vehicles in addition to renewable energy generation and storage. To achieve a sustainable energy future, Tesla also created infinitely scalable energy products: Powerwall, Powerpack, and Solar Roof. As the world’s only vertically integrated energy company, Tesla continues to innovate, scale, and reduce the costs of commercial and grid-scale systems, with the goal of ultimately getting us to 100% renewable energy grids.

When we think about environmental literacy, we think of classroom lessons and outdoor field trips. But environmental literacy can be practiced outside of educational settings, specifically at home in your community! According to Jason Morris, the Senior Program Officer for Environmental Education at Pisces Foundation, the 3 key components of a strong environmental education ecosystem are experiences at school, experiences in programs, and experiences at home and in local communities. By implementing green practices at home, families can spark conversations that advance environmental literacy and help them better understand their connection to the natural world around them – one of the core goals of environmental literacy! If you are looking to incorporate environmentally literate activities at home in your community, look no further. 

One of the easiest ways to advance environmental literacy at home in your local community is to get outside! Exploring your neighborhood is a great way to discover the positive environmental practices already occurring within your community. Keep an eye out for community gardens, monarch butterfly waystations, and local trails and parks – these sustainable living locations can become the catalyst for your neighborhood to transition into a greener community. 

As you explore your neighborhood, take note of the natural flora and fauna you witness. Encourage children or other family members to carry a nature notebook – capturing their thoughts about the butterflies they see, what flowers they land on, the colors of their wings – taking notes about experiences in your community is a great way for children to relate to the natural world around them. Apps such as iNaturalist, allow explorers to act as citizen scientists, capturing images of the plants and animals they see in their communities to help naturalists identify and protect the many plant species we have on our planet. Joining a network like iNaturalist is an easy and exciting way to get involved in your community, learn about your surroundings, and continue conversations about the environment outside the classroom.  

Another way to encourage environmentally literate members of your community is through utilizing public transportation or taking a bike ride to the grocery store! When taking these alternative forms of transportation, you can start a conversation with your family about how you have lowered your carbon footprint and how the environment benefits from these small acts. Bike riding and using public transportation is also a great way to explore new areas of your community that you may usually avoid due to busy parking lots, fares for parking garages, or ease of accessibility. Creating a neighborhood carpool group is also a great way to lower your carbon footprint while also bringing environmental literacy practices to more families in your community. 

A fun and tangible way to introduce environmental practices into everyday home life is to introduce recycling processes into everyday actions. Take a look at your community’s recycling policies: Do they separate plastics? Do they accept glass? If you start a conversation at home about how you can improve your community’s recycling policies, families and neighbors can come together to write a letter to local governments to update policies in a way that best fits the needs of your community. You can also introduce programs such as Terracycle, which utilizes school recycling centers and encourage recycling through a school rewards program!   

There are many ways to incorporate environmental literacy activities at home in your community. Creating exciting conversations surrounding actions and observations in your neighborhood is a great way for children to actualize the way their experiences are a part of the natural world. Children are more likely to connect with the natural elements around them when they are introduced to practices at home and in their local community, as well as in the classroom. Learn more about how you can take action and support the advancement of environmental literacy among children in your community through the links below.

Relevant Links

Calculate your Carbon Footprint with Global Footprint Network

Humans use as many ecological resources as if we lived on 1.6 Earths. The Ecological Footprint is the only metric that compares the resource demand of individuals, governments, and businesses against Earth’s capacity for biological regeneration. Calculate your Carbon Footprint today!

iNaturalist 

Every observation can contribute to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed. iNaturalist shares your findings with scientific data repositories like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility to help scientists find and use your data. All you have to do is observe.

Online Activity Guides | National Parks Service 

With scavenger hunts, word games, matching pictures, and more, you can find Junior Ranger activities online. The National Park Service is building this page with more fun stuff, so check back often to see which parks add more activities to this page.

Monarch Waystations 

Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. Without milkweeds throughout their spring and summer breeding areas in North America, monarchs would not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall. 

Find a National Park in Your Community 

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

California Park Directory 

California parks include California State Parks, National Parks, and local community-operated city and community parks. There’s lots of “parking” going on at these natural assets that locals need for healthy living and tourists come to see their amazing attractions such as the world’s tallest trees, the world’s oldest tree, the world’s biggest tree, and much more.

Terracycle 

TerraCycle® is a social enterprise Eliminating the Idea of Waste®. In 21 countries, they tackle the issue from many angles. They have found that nearly everything we touch can be recycled and collect typically non-recyclable items through national, first-of-their-kind recycling platforms.

Exploring New Horizons is an outdoor education program that was founded as a nonprofit in 1979. Its mission is to empower students, build environmental literacy, and strengthen school communities through residential and environmental education. Each year, Exploring New Horizons’ experienced naturalists serve 7,000 students throughout the greater San Francisco and Monterey Bay area in their outdoor education programs that are aligned with NGSS and Common Core standards. Their goal is to provide high-quality and affordable programs to create positive associations between learning and the outdoors. 

Currently, Exploring New Horizons is offering outdoor school programs for students in Santa Cruz County, as well as a virtual science camp to accommodate current mandates. We recently spoke with Jacob Sackin, Executive Director of Exploring New Horizons, and he provided some insight on the importance of outdoor education programs, noting “In CA less than 10% of 4-6th grade students attend outdoor school.” Through experience and research, Jacob has highlighted the benefits when students participate in 3 to 5-day residential outdoor education programs, including: 

• • Increased motivation to learn and achievement in school
• • Greater self-esteem, respect, and conflict resolution skills
• • Less stress, depression, and symptoms of ADD

Exploring New Horizons takes a “Whole Child Approach” with the creation of their programs, focusing on environmental stewardship, social-emotional learning, and the arts. They offer two program types: 

• • A larger program that engages entire 5-6^th grade classrooms and teachers in a 4–5-day overnight program in Pescadero/Scotts Valley allows students to explore the redwoods, go tide pooling, take night hikes, and sing songs about decomposition. 
• • A smaller program 1 to 3-day program that engages 20-40 3^rd– 8^th graders at Pigeon Point Lighthouse where students learn about northern elephant seals, look for whales, cook meals each day, and more! 

At the core of Exploring New Horizon’s mission is environmental literacy, and Jacob believes that environmental literacy starts with equity of access to environmental education programs. If environmental education and literacy programs were implemented at the state level, funding could be more easily accessible for students across California. Students that were offered free preschool and outdoor learning programs throughout the years could better understand their connection to the world and the ecosystems around them. 

“Environmental Literacy involves building on environmental education experiences before and after attending an outdoor school program.” 

As noted by Jacob in a survey conducted by Exploring New Horizons in the last 5 years, 96% of 700 participating classroom teachers agreed that after participating in an outdoor education program, students:  

• • Expressed more self-esteem 
• • Strengthened relationships with peers and their teachers
• • Felt more connected to the environment and comfortable being outside 
• • Better understand the ecosystems of coastal California and their role as environmental stewards 

Overall, teachers mentioned that they noticed more respect and appreciation for the environment, stronger community, and cooperation, more independence, sense of responsibility, confidence, and self-esteem from student participants. 

Exploring New Horizons and many other nonprofit organizations rely on the support of their community to provide high-quality and affordable educational programs. Through the support of local schools, individual donors, and grant-funding, Exploring New Horizons works hard to curate a wide breadth of outdoor educational programs and help provide scholarships for schools with students who are eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Meals.  

During this past year, Exploring New Horizons has had to reduce the number of programs offered due to the pandemic and lack of support for outdoor education. ENH has taken the time to prepare lessons and programs that are educational and safe for children to participate in outdoor/open-air spaces and hopes to continue doing so as we look forward to the year ahead.  

If you are a teacher, parent, or guardian looking to get involved with an outdoor education program like Exploring New Horizons, visit the CAELI Community-Based Partner Hub and find partners and programs near you: CAELI Community Based Partner Hub

Philanthropic support is also a great way to get involved with nonprofits like ENH, so if you are an individual donor or a local foundation or corporation interested in funding opportunities, please visit: Support Exploring New Horizons!

Exploring New Horizons is an organizational member of the California Association of Environmental & Outdoor Education (AEOE). AEOE is a network of dedicated individuals and organizations in California that are committed to using environmental and outdoor education as a tool to create lasting environmental change. Their mission is “to advance the impact of environmental and outdoor education in California.” AEOE, led by Estrella Risinger, has 3 core goals: 1) Convene program providers to build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive network of skilled practitioners. 2) Provide learning opportunities that are aligned with best practices and content relevant to the field 3) Promote high-quality environmental education and advocate for all young people to experience meaningful learning opportunities outdoors. 

Become an AEOE organizational member and get access to resources, conferences, and events! 

AEOE is the California affiliate for the North American Association of Environmental Educators (NAAEE).

Relevant Links: 

Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education | California AEOE 

As the professional association for environmental and outdoor education in California, AEOE provides programs and practitioners with the tools, resources, and expertise to ensure that future generations are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary to develop lifelong connections to the natural world and the commitment to sustain it. 

California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI)

CAELI, led by Ten Strands, works statewide with guidance from a leadership council to create systems change in support of environmental literacy with a focus on access, equity, and cultural relevance for all students.

Environmental Education Equity | Exploring New Horizons 

Exploring New Horizons seeks support to serve more lower-income schools, to continue providing affordable rates and scholarships to participating schools, and to provide professional learning for our staff on equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive pedagogy. 

Loma Mar Program | Exploring New Horizons 

Exploring New Horizons Outdoor Schools at Loma Mar takes a hands-on, experiential approach to science education, and focuses on adventure, self-discovery, and environmental stewardship. Located in the Pescadero Creek watershed near Memorial and Pescadero Creek County Parks, students learn about how they are connected to the natural world while exploring the Oak and Redwood Forest. Each evening activity finishes with songs and stories around the campfire. 

Pigeon Point Program | Exploring New Horizons 

Exploring New Horizons Outdoor Schools at Pigeon Point is based at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse State Historic Park with accommodations provided by Hostelling International. Pigeon Point is located on the Pacific Ocean, 50 miles south of San Francisco, and 20 miles north of Santa Cruz. The Pigeon Point program offers a unique opportunity for students to learn more about themselves as well as the natural world that surrounds them. 

Sempervirens Program | Exploring New Horizons 

Exploring New Horizons Outdoor Schools at Sempervirens takes a hands-on, experiential approach to science education, and focuses on adventure, self-discovery, and environmental stewardship. Students explore the coastal ecosystems, the Oak, Madrone, and Redwood Forest, and each evening activity finishes with songs and stories around the campfire. 

Ten Strands 

Ten Strands weaves stakeholders and strategies together into strong, focused education partnerships, with the goal of raising environmental literacy by providing high-quality environment-based learning and hands-on education to all California K–12 students. Ten Strands acts as an incubator and a catalyst to create collaborations, build capacity, and transform systems to increase their impact and sustainability.