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Join us a Saturday June 1st and explore Indigenous Perspectives on Sustainability with Jupurrla McKenzie and Michael Williams in National Reconciliation Week.
Get ready for World Environment Day by growing your sustainability skills and knowledge.
"I change myself, I change the world." Gloria Anzuldua
Sustainability is a cross-curriculum priority and connects to a range of actions and learning opportunities linked to both the Early Years Learning Framework and the Australian Curriculum. Before we can embed sustainability, we must first learn, then live and teach it to others.
Get your tickets now:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/learn-it-live-it-teach-it-sustainability-tickets-59370150719
**Scholarships are available to early career teachers working in early childhood education (birth- age 8) in rural or remote areas.
Information and applications: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EESSAinc
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Biodegradable or compostable, do you know the difference?
Many products and containers, including many made of plastic say they are biodegradable. Sounds good but what does it really mean?
Given time, all things will degrade so the label biodegradable does not really tell us much. The process could potentially take years and could leave behind harsh toxins and chemicals. Biodegradable packaging does not specify a time that is required for degradation. While biodegradable may be better than other products like Styrofoam, which is estimated take between between 500 years to forever to break down, it is not compostable.
“For the packaging items to be 100% compostable, it usually breaks down within 90-180 days with no residue left behind. The biomass turns into a toxin free nutrient rich soil with no trace of the product left behind.”
https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/Biodegradable%2C%20degradable%20and%20recyclable%20claims%20on%20plastic%20bags.pdf
While all compostable material is biodegradable, not all biodegradable material is compostable.
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How does your garden grow?
Our well-being fundamentally depends on nature. While Australian bee populations appear to be remaining resilient to the disease that is devasting bees in Europe, Asia, North America and even New Zealand, providing a diverse range of plants in our cities and suburbs is a key way to maintain a healthy population of both native bees and the introduced European bee. Plants provide a home for beneficial insects, especially pollinators and pollinators are the key to food production. Pollinators include a wide variety of bee species, butterflies, beetles, flies some birds and some bats. Pollinators are necessary for three-quarters of our major food crops Everyone can have a few plants growing somewhere, whether it is a garden bed or pots. There are a growing number of productive roof top gardens across Australia many with thriving active bee hives; insects will come where ever the plants grow.
Gardens with flowering plants and trees provide an amazing opportunity for children’s learning.
As they monitor what creatures they find on different plants they practice discrete inquiry skills like observing, predicting and planning, investigating, and collecting new information. While taking care of plants children experience seasonal changes and have deeper conversations around nature, fostering curiosity and connection.
Blues, yellows and oranges are the favourite colours of bees. Put some colour in your garden and see what visits, which insects or butterflies go to which plants?
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PATCH IT - compostable band aids
Do you or someone you know get red itchy reactions to band aids? That’s because they are plastic and, as Jason creator of Patch Band aids discovered, they have a variety of chemicals in them.
His research has lead him to producing certified organic bamboo compostable band aids. Initially the tear of strips were plastic but these were replaced with paper in 2019.
The paper backings PATCH are now in circulation which makes PATCH 100% compostable, meaning everything can go into the compost bin. You can even watch a video of the composting process.
https://patchstrips.com/
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Every step matters.
Our individual actions are important. Living sustainably will lead to better personal health, more prosperous communities and a healthier environment.
Many things can be done that do not take much effort but make a positive impact. Australian households are responsible for 12% of the countries carbon emissions. Adding trees and vegetation in your garden design or buying locally are small actions you can take.
What are you doing?
Tell us about the small steps you are taking at your education service or at home. Email hello@eessa.org.au using the heading ‘My Small Steps’ and we will share them (anonymous if you request) with others in our June news.
Sharing what you do grows everyone’s knowledge and skills and supports us to work together for a brighter future for all.
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Dates and events for your diary
- National Reconciliation Week 27th May -3rd June - Grounded in Truth: Walk Together with Courage
- EESSA Inc conference Saturday 1st June
- World Environment Day June 5th
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