Module 05 - Young People and Environmental issues

A Rocha UK have resources for work with children included in the Environment Sunday packs that they have been producing annually. This was initially called 'Conservation Sunday' but is now 'Environment Sunday'. The resources can be used at any time!

The Environment Sunday pack for 2007 is called 'The Heat is On' and contains many resources suitable for use with young people, including powerpoint presentations on climate change. Order online here.

CAFOD have an extensive range of resources for use in secondary schools and these resources specifically on climate change, including some liturgical resources from the liveit conference in March 2008.

Christian Ecology Link's service suggestions for LOAF (Local, Organic, Animal friendly, Fairtrade) is suitable for use with children and young people.
Also have a look at CEL's Environment Awareness course, which is a detailed course with lots of resources to help engage with young people at many different levels.
And you might like to take a look at the EarthCare for Lent activities from St John's, Hurst Green.

Eco-Congregation Scotland have a resource list produced by Forth Environment Link which covers a number of areas, including work with children. This is a list of what they have available for Scottish churches to borrow, but it might give ideas of things to look out for if you are wanting to purchase some materials (see pages 5,6,9,10 from this Word document)

The Religious Education and Environment Programme (REEP) has developed resources linking many faiths and care for creation for primary age and for secondary age students. It also has a book list for different Key Stages.

Tearfund have some excellent online resources for youth groups:

• Lift the Label looking at finance, fashion, food and the future
• Climate change pentathlon looking at practical things to reduce CO2 emissions
• Also Tearfund's new climate change campaign - Don't be Derek - is highly suitable for use with young people. There are lots of downloadable resources from the Don't be Derek page.

Are you looking for somewhere to take your children/young people away for a weekend? Ringsfield Hall is a wonderful place of hospitality, prayer and nurture. Groups are free to follow their own programme, or you can have sessions lead on spirituality, creativity, fun, team building. They are committed to teaching children about earth keeping and creation care in a holistic and creative way.

Contact Ross Ashley or Chris Walton on 01502 713020 or email them at info@ringsfield-hall.co.uk.

Reflection Gardens, aims to make connections between issues in ecology and Christian beliefs, and to present these in a visual/physical way. It runs programmes, courses and retreats for various groups including youth groups. It is situation on the edge of Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, some of the old woodland in England. Reflections is run by Revd Christine and Mr John Polhill.

Next door is a large camp site for young people's groups, with a variety of camping options, see http://www.beaudesert.org/.

A CAFOD resource for encouraging young people to address issues of lifestyle in the light of the effect on those in poorer countries.

There is also a book published by Canterbury Press and CAFOD in 2008 which introduces the project, has articles which outline the issues, prayers and hints for practical involvement.

Could you link in with a local school which is doing the Eco-Schools programme?

Have a look at their website, or see if you can interest your local school in getting involved.

Degrees of Change is a 40 minute drama about climate change through the lens of social justice and a Christianresponse. You can download it below, along with resources.

Commissioned by CAFOD and written by Martin O'Brien from tententheatre, the drama was launched in 2008 at the liveit events inManchester and is designed for sixth formers and youth groups to perform within their school or parish community. Accompanying resources suggest a variety of ways to use the play as well as activities to help unpack the issues, either in preparation for aperformance or just as a way into exploring climate change.Further materials for exploring the issues can be found at www.cafod.org.uk

SPEAK is a network connecting together students and young adults to pray and campaign on issues of global injustice. Environmental issues are an integral part of their work. Your youth group could link up with them - could a SPEAK group be set up?

The Earth Charter

...is a declaration of fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society for the 21st century.

Created by global civil society, endorsed by thousands of organizations and institutions, the Charter is not only a call to action, but a motivating force inspiring change the world over.

Have a look at the The Earth Charter - could you use it with your young people as a starting point for considering looking after the Earth?

Operation Noah launches its Church Action Starter Pack for communities wanting to LEARN and TAKE ACTION on climate change.

In the run-up to the monumentally important Copenhagen climate change negotiations, it’s imperative that as many churches as possible mobilise and engage on climate change issues and recognise the important role they can play as community leaders on this issue. 

To this end, Operation Noah has produced this pack of resources to accompany its ARK campaign.  There are resources suitable for all the different sectors of the church community, including the workbook Between the Flood and the Rainbow, the DVD God is Green, liturgical resources and specific ARK campaign actions people can take, such as the celebrated origami ARK petition, the ARK building competition and instructions on how to organise an event.  

Packs cost £20 and can be purchased by contacting Operation Noah (email, 020 7324 4761, Operation Noah, 28 Charles Square, London, N1 6HT).  Payment can be made by Paypal  or by cheque (made payable to Operation Noah).

For more details, please visit the Operation Noah site.