Start Them Young: Why Teaching Children about Environmental Conservation is Important

July 2020

Children’s Participation in Saving Our Planet

Primary school or elementary education is an essential stage in the growth and development of a child's mindset, attitude, and formation of core values. Teaching schoolchildren the importance of taking care of the environment and its benefits to our daily lives will help instill this knowledge in them so they can continue conserving our natural resources and ecosystem throughout their lifetime. Appreciating and understanding why nature is vital for human survival can lead them to participate and act on living sustainably every day even at a young age and of course, as the future hope of the next generations.

Development of Environmental Teaching Manual for Primary Schools

Bridging the knowledge gap about Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) related concepts, technical terms, and practices is one of the objectives behind producing the Environmental Teaching Manual for primary and secondary teachers. Based on a study conducted by The Nielsen Company in 2018, environmental awareness should be introduced early in the lives of Filipino children to ensure long-term retention and practice of environmentally conscious habits. This paved the way to create a tool to help communicate environmental responsibility and stewardship.

The Sustainable Diner Project Team of WWF-Philippines, in collaboration with Mr. Alfred Lee, developed a teaching manual that serves as an excellent way to support teachers with the integration of environmental sustainability concepts into their existing lesson plans and modules. This manual will support teachers in training current and future generations to be equipped with environmental knowledge and socially responsible behavior. With the partnership and support from various Regional Department of Education (DepEd) representatives, teachers, and students, this manual went through a long process of pilot testing, focus group discussions, and peer reviews to improve and finalize the content.

Download The Climate Plate: Environmental Teaching Manual Now!

The free e-book is now available for download. Get your copy through this link and raise environmental awareness among children today. As we transition to the new and better normal, this teaching manual can serve as a guide to teachers in educating schoolchildren even while studying at home.

The Sustainable Diner project, under Sustainable Consumption and Production, is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU) supports this initiative on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag.

The Sustainable Diner and SoilMate Project Team:

Melody Melo-Rijk, Jonna Ellaine Jordan, Lorayne Therese Roque, Alexa Jeanne Lasch, Iris Joy Abrigo, Liezl Stuart del Rosario, Kristan Gabriel Villalon, Jenette Callada, Monique Mahusay

For more information, please contact:

Melody Melo-Rijk
Sustainable Consumption and Production Project Manager
mmelorijk@wwf.org.ph

Jonna Ellaine Jordan
Integrated Marketing Communication Specialist
jjordan@wwf.org.ph

Lorayne Therese Roque
Sustainable Consumer Specialist
lroque@wwf.org.ph