News

22 April 2022

Earth Day 2022

This year the theme for Earth Day is ‘Invest in our planet’ 

At John Lyon School we have already made huge strides in our sustainability journey but recognise that we have only just begun. 

Together we have already achieved so much, some notable mentions include attending a Mock COP 26 conference, lowering our plate waste, encouraging wildlife, protecting habitats, building hedgehog hotels within our grounds, raised awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals, Fairtrade fortnight,  Water Day, visited a zero-landfill recycling plant, harnessed rainwater, CREST innovative waste-free lunch ideas and of course taking part and winning the international sustainability competition against nearly 650 teams.

The Department for Education recently published a sustainability education strategy, which outlines the role as educators we must play. They highlighted that the area with the most work to do is reducing our environmental footprint, particularly in the drive to achieve net zero. 

Five action areas were identified to support the 25 Year Environmental Plan which encourages children to be close to nature both in and out of school.  Green skills are highlighted as key to the UK’s Net Zero Strategy, by 2025 a natural history GCSE will be introduced with practical fieldwork and understanding of conservation. A Climate Leaders Award that will work with existing awards such as Duke of Edinburgh will be launched in Autumn 2022. 

Below are useful links and further reading

The full government strategy is available here: Sustainability and climate change: a strategy for the education and children’s services systems – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Learn about the history of Earth day: Earth Day 2022 – Origins, Theme, Celebration – HISTORY

Follow the live stream: Earth Day Livestream – Nature in the Race to Zero – YouTube 

Facts and themes: Earth Reminder – themes, facts and celebrations 

Green economies: Earth Day 2022 Theme Encourages a Green Economy (greenmatters.com)