Life Based Learning ™
Delivering subject content through nine life themes
Let’s celebrate these young people’s activism and sense of social responsibility
A group of young climate activists made the headlines this week by turning down a good citizen award from Rhondda Cynon Taf county borough council because they say it is not doing enough to take steps to address the climate emergency. Storm Dennis caused devastation across south Wales in 2020. The town of Pontypridd, one of the worst affected towns, is part of Rhondda Cynon Taf. The three young people are members of Pontypridd’s Young Friends of the Earth group.
You may agree or disagree with their decision. Some people are pointing out that — right or wrong — it was a smart move on their part, a way to attract plenty of publicity for their campaign.
We want to highlight the story to celebrate the young people’s social responsibility and climate activism. We regularly blog about opportunities for individuals, families, schools and community organisations to get involved in making a difference, to themselves, their communities and the world around them.
Evidence suggests that active participation — doing something positive, however small — is good for our mental health and wellbeing and helps to dispel the fatalistic notion that we are powerless in the face of the problems and challenges that confront us.
The links below highlight some other recent examples.
The image at the head of this article is from the BBC online news page highlighted in the text.