Using creativity to fight climate change
Time is running out to save the world from climate change, says The wonders of this place founder of climate education Lumondt Kritzinger. The global non-profit organisation uses creative arts to promote environmental awareness.
Mr Kritzinger, from Ireland, spoke at Hazendal Primary School in Athlone last Thursday when he launched a new creative arts lesson attached to a song and music video he wrote about caring for the planet.
The song, The Wonders of this Place, was written three months ago and would be translated into a variety of languages, he said.
A video of the song with subtitles will also be played in classrooms around the world so that children can learn the words.
Music and art, he said, were important ways to spread the message about climate change.
“Research shows that the impact for creative arts on education is very high. Music can start movements; painting is also highly impactful. It catches your eye. It is a global subject and is topical everywhere. This will encourage children to use what they like - technology - to learn more about climate change.”
The Wonders of this place’s in-country ambassador for climate change Pamela Broadley said she had decided to get involved in the initiative because she was passionate about the country, the environment and the planet. She said the organisation’s approach encouraged youth to tap into their creativity and express themselves through song, dance, drawing, painting and more.
“It will teach pupils to keep spaces clean every day, promoting a healthier environment,” she said.
“It will also teach them to recycle as much as possible as recycling reduces waste, conserves resources and can even provide incentives, such as airtime credits from recycling machines.”
Using water, electricity and other resources sparingly also helped to protect the environment and save money, she said.
“Buy only what you need to reduce waste because mindful consumption minimises waste and the strain on natural resources.”
Also at the launch was an exhibition of art by pupils from several schools. A painting by Spes Bona High School Grade 8 pupil Mueerah Samaai showed a person reaching out to the light
“I feel that I should make people aware that there are some people going through tough times. I created this painting to show that everybody knows about it and they are going to try to help,” she said.
