Energy - and how we use it - is one of the most important issues of our time. When it comes to creating a healthy, sustainable future, schools are ideal places for exploring creative solutions for finding the right balance.
The way we use energy and resources affects every part of our lives.
Whether it’s minimising our impact on the environment, or managing our own energy intake and output to prevent obesity and safeguard our health, taking the time to understand how to best use energy and resources can teach some truly valuable lessons.
So, let’s look at things your school can do that will not only boost students’ health but will also score great marks for looking after the environment as well.
Promote outdoor play and active travel
Helping kids to find ways to be active outside can have a wide range of benefits - both for the environment and health. Regular physical activity is vital for good health, but when it means we swap the car for a bike or walking, or the TV or video games for an outside activity, it can help reduce our impact on the environment too.
Your school can get involved via ride to school programs, organizing walking buses and finding other ways to boost ways of promoting outdoor play and active travel.
Water wise
There’s much more to being water-wise than following water restrictions and conserving water in our homes and gardens.
Schools have a great role to play in promoting healthy and sustainable drinking habits for students. Promoting regular drinking of tap water has a number of potential benefits.
Tap water is recommended over high-energy beverages such as soft-drinks, fruit juices and sports drinks to help kids keep their energy intake under control. It can also offer benefits over bottled water in preventing tooth decay. Finally, taking water from the tap offers significant environmental energy savings compared to bottled beverages.
Growing and learning
Making the most of our food is such an important issue. While we have high rates of obesity among children and adults alike, according to the Australia Institute Australians are also throwing out more than $5 billion worth of food every year, including $1 billion of fruit and vegetables.
Teaching kids gardening and food preparations skills cannot only help them learn to make healthier food choices, but it can also teach some valuable lessons about issues such as food waste and the environmental impact of producing foods.
Does your school have vegie patch or a kitchen garden? How does your school canteen check out in the serving up healthy foods and minimising food wastage? There are lots of different ways that your school can get involved.
References:
The Australia Institute (2009) What a waste: An analysis of household expenditure on food. Viewed 18/04/2011. Available http://foodwise.com.au/media/72673/tai%20what%20a%20waste.pdf
Related Readings
Embrace Outdoors Play
Develop A Taste For Home-grown
Stroll To School A Healthy Habit
Steer Clear Of Soft Drinks
