What Is Eco-hope?

The unrelenting recurrence of environmental disasters only exacerbates feelings of fear, guilt, and helplessness. At a certain point, the combination of these emotions can cause a person to shut down and try to avoid thinking about environmental issues altogether. The manner and tone in which information is communicated play a key role in how people react to it and, therefore, their level of engagement with the subject. Focusing on inspiring ideas, practical solutions, and stories that reflect the reality of today’s youth is a good way to help build young people’s resilience. The Maison4tiers documentary Demain, which celebrates positive, real-world initiatives, is a good example of how to discuss socio-ecological issues with a sense of hope. In terms of media, the French-language website Unpointcinq is an excellent resource. Every week, it publishes positive environmental news stories along with all kinds of relevant articles. Why not subscribe to the Unpointcinq newsletter? We also recommend checking out the site’s seven-part feature on taming eco-anxiety. Peruse the Government of Canada’s website, Climate Kids, which provides information, games, and action ideas for kids.

Contact with nature has the power to reduce stress and anxiety, boost our energy levels, and improve our mood and concentration (Montreal Heart Institute, 2021 [link in French]). The benefits of outdoor classes have now been substantiated by numerous studies. Moreover, talking about how to protect the environment will never be enough if we do not fully appreciate why it matters. To care about nature, we must first connect with it. L’école à ciel ouvert and Enseigner dehors are terrific introductory resources (available in French only). Take me Outside is also full of resources and ideas for outdoor experiential learning. You can also apply for a transportation subsidy from the Destination nature! program (link in French) to help facilitate stimulating outdoor activities for your students that put them in touch with nature. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2023.

Doctors can now give their patients nature prescriptions — proof that a dose of the outdoors really can improve your health!

The fact remains that the responsibility to act cannot rest entirely on the shoulders of individuals. Individual action must be combined with action on the part of communities, businesses, and political institutions. A great strategy for turning eco-anxiety into eco-hope is to foster eco-citizenship among young people, specifically through educational activities that get them involved in their communities.

Eco-citizenship is a forum for deliberating about the world we share. Beyond individual efforts, it is first and foremost a forum for political action that promotes collective empowerment [...] Political competence also requires the development of social awareness—that is, a sense of empowerment, of individual and collective responsibility, and a concern for the common good, democracy, participation, personal and collective commitment, etc. (Sauvé, L. [2017]. “L’éducation à l’écocitoyenneté.”) (Translation)

Action-oriented projects help young people see that they are capable of effecting change and that they can have an impact on public decision-making. To provide you with some lesson-planning inspiration, here are a few activity ideas related to different school subjects:

• Mathematics: Have students calculate the carbon footprint of their wardrobe and participate in a class clothes swap.

• Art: Have students create thought-provoking artwork to raise awareness about overconsumption or other environmental issues within the educational community. They can exhibit their pieces at an open house, theatre night, or parents’ evening.

• Languages: Have students write an argumentative text on a current socio-environmental issue. Then, write a joint letter with your class and send it to your municipal representatives.

• Science and Technology: Organize a biodiversity scavenger hunt around the school neighbourhood. Have students identify and implement solutions to protect animals (birdhouses, gardens for pollinators, snake shelters, etc.).

• Social Sciences: Organize a debate around issues affecting regional planning, the environment, and society (food security, climate refugees, sustainable mobility, access to drinking water, etc.).