Page 6 - SGG_220316_Teachers_Handbook_Module_4

• How much packaging is needed and wasted?

Introduction

It seems almost superfluous to explain the relevance of the sustainability issue, because it is on every-
one's lips and has fortunately already produced a great change in people's awareness. Issues that Fri-
days for Future, for example, and ecological associations in many places are bringing out with more
and more energy are being heard by an increasing number of people. Eco-labels have established in
many countries. Fair trade is no longer a foreign word, people recognize the dangers of chemicals,
pesticides and artificial ingredients in their food and clothing. A growing market of alternatives is en-
joying increasing popularity. Many companies, for example, already have their own sustainability
experts and point out their environmentally friendly standards and efforts on their websites. These
references should always be taken with a grain of salt and checked carefully, because companies have
long known that sustainability sells well. In any case, the result is that the supply of corresponding
products increases in line with their popularity among the population. It is certainly worth asking whet-
her we need new markets that also follow the traditional market logic, or whether we can rethink our
approach to the extent that we resort to recycling and second-hand, and are more concerned with our
own supply and regionality.
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In line with the general goals of the project SchoolsGoGreen this module focusses on ecological susta-
inability and action against climate change. It has to be acknowledged that there are different strate-
gies towards these goals and also aspects like like social standards in the production or the health of
the consumers are important. Therefore this handbook is not intended to make purchasing recom-
mendations, but to take a holistic view of sustainability and provide practical guidelines to approach
this topic in primary schools.

Current studies also indicate that the greatest concern of the young generation for the future is the
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climate or climate change . It is therefore time to create a sense of empowerment and thus replace
the feeling of powerlessness.

In 2006 the goal to Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns was established by the
United Nations among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Until 2030 the United Nations should
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„achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources” .
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Taking into account that agriculture and production of clothes are regarded to be main polluters of
clean water the awareness grew that this topic should already be addressed in early school education.
Next to strategies aiming at a transformation of the production of food and clothes the United Nations
launched the campaign #actnow which provides strategies and educational guidelines for individual or
collective action as informed consumers.

1 https://wien.orf.at/stories/3068047/)
2 https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/
3 https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/12_Why-It-Matters-2020.pdf