Re-generation

Clare Havens
Nov 1 · 2 min read
Photo by April Pethybridge on Unsplash

I’m convinced that small, even micro, actions at the individual level can play an important role in the transformation to a healthier planet and healthier communities. While I work towards a more sustainable, resilient economy in my day job, it’s time to step outside of my corporate comfort zone and do more in my community. I want to think in terms of helping create not only a sustainable but a regenerative society, not just creating a zero sum game but having a positive impact that can be amplified.

Re-generation

One of the first initiatives to a multi-pronged attack is to help teenagers find ways they can take action on the issues they care most about. Young people have many talents including an abundance of energy and imagination. We will need these attributes if we are to come up with creative solutions for regeneration. How can we harness these super powers? And how can we help younger generations develop the skills they will need to flourish?

Phase one of Project Re-generation

Work with the sustainability committee of a local school to take their sustainability actions to the next level. Projects will be driven by the interests of the young people. My role will be as facilitator, idea amplifier and chief business-world-liaison-officer — helping students take their pipedreams out in to the world, implement them and measure their impacts.

This isn’t my first foray into aligning my passion for sustainability with my belief that an educated youth should be able to help ameliorate future challenges associated with a harsher climate. Ten years ago I was involved with the start-up of an Australian children’s gardening club whose purpose was to engage very young children with growing their own food. It was popular and was lots of fun.

Over recent years the appetite for green education has increased steadily. Young people are at the forefront demanding action on climate change. Encouraged by initiatives such as Stephanie Alexander’s school vegetable gardens and the Sustainable Schools Initiative, many state and private schools in Australia have experimented with greening their establishments to varying degrees. I think there’s a lot more that can be done from ditching single use plastics, growing their own food, installing solar panels, planting forests or becoming part of a renewable energy purchasing agreement. It might be a one-off project, it might be a multi-year legacy commitment, it might be both of these. Let’s see what the young people come up with. I’ll report back.

Photo by Deleece Cook on Unsplash

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade