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Our Environmental Heroes Environmental Influencers' Course

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A sample overview of work for the week.

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Some additional activities to help pupils get started with their climate conversation.

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Lesson Notes for Rainforests of Ireland Video Lesson

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Lesson Notes for Rainforests of Ireland Video Lesson

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Education for Sustainability CLG is a non- profit social enterprise aimed at increasing climate literacy and fostering behaviour change in Ireland. Founded by Susan Adams in 2017, as a response to the escalating decline of the natural world, it is our mission to ensure that the young people of today are educated about the climate crisis and that they have the knowledge, skills and tools to take action so they can be informed and empowered stakeholders for the future.

Education for Sustainability executes a variety of educational programmes such as workshops, teacher training and a 10-week climate literacy course for 6 th class up to transition year. It is our vision to create a world where young people are actively engaged in taking action for sustainable development by making environmental education and sustainability a fundamental part of the national curriculum.

We are passionate about empowering young people to be the change that they want to see in the world through environmental education.

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Home - Susan Adams | Education for Sustainability

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Teaching Sustainability in Schools About Education for Sustainability CLG is a non- profit social enterprise aimed at increasing climate literacy and fostering behaviour change in Ireland. Founded by Susan Adams in 2017, as a response to the escalating decline of the natural world, it is our mission to ensure that the young people of today [...]

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The Green Schools Ireland website containing resources across topics including biodiversity and climate action

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Green-Schools | Working Together For A Sustainable Future

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Green-Schools is Ireland’s leading environmental education and award programme, working with primary and secondary schools across the country.

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https://www.unicef.org/lac/media/19316/file/paris-agreement-for-young-people.pdf

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Climate SOS by Lucinda Jacobs

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A selection of videos looking at climate change causes, effects and solutions. Speakers include Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough

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Inspired by nature | The Natural Curriculum is a unique teaching and learning resource for KS2 grammar and maths. The lessons bring the wonders of the natural world into the classroom through captivating clips from the BBC. Each clip provides the starting point for an hour-long lesson based on statutory requirements for KS2, supported by exciting text and visuals, differentiated whiteboard challenges and easy-to-adapt worksheets.

We think all of these clips are suitable for primary-aged children, but some may not be suitable for younger pupils. We suggest that you watch these clips before sharing them with children, and decide if they are appropriate for the children you work with.

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Introduction: Causes - Natural Curriculum

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Inspired by nature | The Natural Curriculum is a unique teaching and learning resource for KS2 grammar and maths. The lessons bring the wonders of the natural world into the classroom through captivating clips from the BBC. Each clip provides the starting point for an hour-long lesson based on statu…

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Website for the Beara Rainforest

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Beara Rainforest - A wealth of biodiversity on the Peninsula

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The little that survives of Ireland's temperate rainforest is almost all in a very poor state ecologically. Highly fragmented by roads, human habitation, and areas devoted to agriculture, non-native conifer plantations or industry, the small semi-natural fragments that remain are highly vulnerable to - and are mostly presently in - further decline.

A major threat is that of severe overgrazing by a variety of herbivores, almost all non-native species such as Sika Deer, Feral Goats, and Sheep. Overgrazing strips away almost all of the ground flora, and prevents any natural regeneration of the woodland trees by killing seedlings, thereby causing the slow death of woodlands as older trees age and die without a younger generation to replace them.

In addition, by removing most of the competition for light in the form of native vegetation, overgrazing greatly facilitates the spread of such invasive non-native plant species as Rhododendron ponticum, which, given time, will destroy a native woodland ecosystem.

The dense monocultures that are created when Rhododendron takes hold block almost any light from reaching the woodland floor, preventing the growth of practically all native plants other than mosses and liverworts. Almost nothing will eat the Rhododendron leaves, as they naturally contain a toxin to discourage feeding animals, whether insects or vertebrates.

A single mature Rhododendron bush can put out a rain of several million seeds every year, and every seed that germinates and grows into another plant can be producing seed itself within little more than a decade. The result is that, if not dealt with at an early stage, large areas can quickly become choked with the plant. At this point its eradication becomes extremely difficult, labour intensive, and costly.

Sadly, almost all remaining pockets of native woodland in Ireland are affected - often acutely so - by a combination of these problems.

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Beara Rainforest - A wealth of biodiversity on the Peninsula

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A wealth of biodiversity on the Peninsula

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Website of Fighting Words. Numerous resources and programmes to support and engage young writers.

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Kickstart Creative Writing with Oide Creativity and Fighting Words!

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Drawing Inspiration from the wisdom of Woodlice

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Drawing Inspiration from the wisdom of Woodlice

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Drawing Inspiration from the Wisdom of Woodlice

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Website of creative entomologist Nessa D'arcy.

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Nessa Darcy Creative Entomologist

My mission is to reintroduce humans to their natural habitat through colourful encounters with insects, one of the most diverse and underappreciated group of living things. Currently based in Dublin, Ireland, I aim to promote and conserve insect wildlife through my ecological and artistic practices:

Artwith a focus on biodiversity and community.

Heritage In Schools- bug-centric learning sessions for primary school classes.

Insect surveys for county councils, land owners and anyone interested in finding out what lives at a site and how to conserve it.

NIMBY (Nature In My Backyard) - educational entomological experiences in the comfort of your own home and garden!

I'm open to requests, suggestions and collaborations! Just drop me a line.

Experience and Qualifications

I have built my range of insect-related activities on years of creative practice and scientific research in Ireland and abroad. I am equipped with Public Liability, Employer's Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance, and Child Protection training.

Ecology

Currently coordinating the Dublin Bay Biosphere Action Project

Moth and butterfly surveys for Coole Eco-Community, Co. Offaly

MSc Biodiversity and Conservation, Trinity College Dublin

Insect surveys, South Dublin and Fingal County Councils

Heritage in Schools panel, 2018 - present

Conservation Research Assistant, SEED Madagascar

Entomological Research Assistant, Legume Futures, TCD

Volunteer Leader, OWLS Children's Nature Charity

Social media, leader and board, Dublin Naturalists' Field Club

SAC Watch training course, Irish Wildlife Trust

Art

Currently under the mentorship of Bee Time, funded by the Arts Council

BA Fine Art Print, National College of Art and Design

Exhibitions in Ireland and abroad

Member of Soft Blonde Moustache art collective

Workshop Coordinator, Community Officer and Alto with Discovery Gospel Choir

Previous member of Ormond Studios

Bee Time Artist Residency, July 2017

Member of Visual Artists Ireland

Wild Postcard Project, Sainte Luce, Madagascar

All images on this site are copyright of Nessa Darcy.

"I wanted to know the name of every stone and flower and insect and bird and beast. I wanted to know where it got its color, where it got its life - but there was no one to tell me."

George Washington Carver

Why Insects?

I have studied nature in some way or another since I was first able to walk far enough to terrorise my neighbours with a beetle. Even during my art college years most of my work was inspired by animals and plants! I strongly believe that connecting regularly with wildlife and wild places is essential for our personal wellbeing and for a society that takes care of its shared environment. Insects are a great place to start - they are all around us and they fit in the palm of the smallest hand.

Getting to know insects puts us in touch with our own animal instincts, helping us to understand ourselves. It reveals the benefits of diversity and harmony in our society. Scientific research into the biology and ecology of insects holds answers to many of the world's environmental, engineering, medical and social problems. Insects keep our ecosystems functioning and pollinate our crops, making them essential to our survival. They're also fascinating and beautiful. No, really - look closer!

I want to get the message out there, to as many people as possible, that insects are important, awe-inspiring and deserving of our care. Get in touch and join the movement!

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My mission is to reintroduce humans to their natural habitat through colourful encounters with insects, one of the most diverse and underappreciated group of living things. Currently based in Dublin, Ireland, I aim to promote and conserve insect wildlife through my ecological and artistic practices: Art with a focus on biodiversity and community.

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A guide to beginning a nature journal - website by John Muir Laws

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What Is Nature Journaling?

Keeping an illustrated, observational journal is a centuries-old method that has been reenvisioned and refined through the lens of our understanding of neuroscience, learning, and deliberate practice. A nature journal is a lens that focuses our attention and crystalizes our observations, thoughts, and experiences.

Nature Journaling is collecting and organizing your observations, questions, connections, and explanations on the pages of a notebook using words pictures, and numbers. You do not need to be an artist or a naturalist to begin. These skills can be learned by anyone, and you can develop them with deliberate practice. The system is creative, rigorous, and playful, easy to begin and learn, and will grow and mature over a lifetime. Start now: you can do this, and the world is waiting.

Nature Jouranling will enrich your experiences and develop observation, curiosity, gratitude, reverence, memory, and the skills of a naturalist. It helps you discover, think, remember, and integrate new information with your existing knowledge. Train your mind, and the world will offer you its secrets of wonder and beauty.
Here is a video I made to help you get started.
Free Live Online Workshops

Need some help getting started or fresh ideas to spice up your practice? Join me online for three one-hour nature journaling workshops every week at 12:00 PM Noon (Pacific Time). See the schedule for details and links to join any of the meetings. There is a new topic for every class!

Tuesday: "Ask Jack" Open office hours where you come with your nature top journaling questions that we troubleshoot together.

Wednesday: Educator Forum. Join nature journaling educators from around the globe for a discussion of best practices and teaching strategies.

Thursday: The Nature Journal Workshop. A deep dive into the details of drawing and journaling strategies. Be sure to check the event description each week for the topic and supply list and sometimes downloadable classroom materials.

Recorded Workshops and Blog Tutorials

If you have missed any of the tutorials or classes, you can watch most of them any time by visiting my blog archive. Skim the categories and find a class that is right for you.

You also might consider the 2020 Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference Video Pass, which gives you access to recordings from our October 2020 conference through April 10, 2021. Click here for details and to purchase.

Books and Materials

The Nature Journal Club

Other Resources

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Nature Journaling: Get started and grow!

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What Is Nature Journaling? Keeping an illustrated, observational journal is a centuries-old method that has been reenvisioned and refined through the lens of our understanding of neuroscience, learning, and deliberate practice. A nature journal is a lens that focuses our attention and crystalizes our observations, thoughts, and experiences.

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Writing lesson ideas based on nature

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Information and pictures on many of Ireland's native trees

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Young changemakers discuss how they embody the sustainable development goals in their daily lives.

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GOAL Changemakers 2020 (English) Stand Alone Resource

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The Picker Pals website where you can start your litter picking adventures and find out how to get involved with Picker Pals.

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EXPRESS YOUR CLASSROOM'S INTEREST IN JOINING PICKER PALS EXPRESS YOUR CLASSROOM'S INTEREST IN JOINING PICKER PALS Make a better future. Have fun doing it. We provide the motivation and tools for children, teachers and families to create a better environment for our shared future. How Picker Pals Works We love to engage with classrooms, create [...]

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Finish the Climate and Nature Summit with a Kahoot quiz!

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Join a game of kahoot here. Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn - any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!

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A range of resources for primary schools including the books Guzzler's party and Climate SOS.

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Welcome Primary teachers. Here you will find lots of curriculum based resources to help you teach your pupils all about energy.

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UN for kids website which includes videos and games to cover topics such as pollution, deforestation and drought

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Watch this video which explains the work of the world's top diplomat, in the service of people everywhere.

Leadership

Equal parts diplomat and advocate, civil servant and CEO, the Secretary-General is a symbol of United Nations ideals and a spokesman for the interests of the world's peoples, in particular the poor and vulnerable among them. The current Secretary-General, and the ninth occupant of the post, is Mr. António Guterres of Portugal, who took office on 1 January 2017. Since 1997, the Secretary-General has been assisted in managing Secretariat operations by the Deputy Secretary-General, a post currently held by Ms. Amina J. Mohammed of Nigeria.

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Watch this video which explains the work of the world's top diplomat, in the service of people everywhere. Equal parts diplomat and advocate, civil servant and CEO, the Secretary-General is a symbol of United Nations ideals and a spokesman for the interests of the world's peoples, in particular the poor and vulnerable among them.

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Professor Katharine Hayhoe explains why we need to talk more about climate change.

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Here you will find a selection of short videos exploring different environmentally friendly actions we can take in our lives.

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Become a Climate Champion today only on Cartoon Network! Discover awesome videos, games, quizzes, and challenges to enjoy for FREE!

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A beautiful story about a boy called Liam who becomes an unlikely gardener and learns how nature thrives when given the chance.

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The Curious Garden by Peter Brown | READ ALOUD

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A popular story to introduce pupils to the importance of trees and the plight of the environment.

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The Lorax - Read Aloud Picture Book | Brightly Storytime

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We've all heard of it, but what is climate change and what is it doing to our planet?

So, what is climate change?

Climate change (or global warming), is the process of our planet heating up.

Scientists estimate that since the Industrial Revolution, human activity has caused the Earth to warm by approximately 1°C. While that might not sound like much, it means big things for people and wildlife around the globe.

Unfortunately, rising temperatures don't just mean that we'll get nicer weather - if only! The changing climate will actually make our weather more extreme and unpredictable.

As temperatures rise, some areas will get wetter and lots of animals (and humans!) could find they're not able to adapt to their changing climate.

Check out our magazine!
National Geographic Kids is an exciting monthly read for planet-passionate boys and girls, aged 6-13! Packed full of fun features, jaw-dropping facts and awe-inspiring photos - it'll keep you entertained for hours! Find our magazine in all good newsagents, or become a subscriber and have it delivered to your door! Ask your parents to check out the 'Subscribe' tab on our website!
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What causes climate change?

1. Burning fossil fuels

Over the past 150 years, industrialised countries have been burning large amounts of fossil fuels such as oil and gas. The gases released into the atmosphere during this process act like an invisible 'blanket', trapping heat from the sun and warming the Earth. This is known as the " Greenhouse Effect ".

2. Farming

Believe it or not, cows' eating habits contribute towards climate change. Just like us, when cows eat, methane - a type of greenhouse gas - builds up in their digestive system and is released in the form of... a burp! This might sound funny, but when you imagine that there are almost 1.5 billion cows releasing all that gas into the atmosphere, it sure adds up!

3. Deforestation

Forests absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide - another greenhouse gas - from the air, and release oxygen back into it. The Amazon rainforest is so large and efficient at doing this that it acts like our planet's air conditioner - limiting climate change. Sadly, many rainforests are being cut down to make wood, palm oil and to clear the way for farmland, roads, oil mines, and dams.

How will climate change affect the planet?

The Earth has had many tropical climates and ice ages over the billions of years that it's been in existence, so why is now so different? Well, this is because for the last 150 years human activity has meant we're releasing a huge amount of harmful gases into the Earth's atmosphere, and records show that the global temperatures are rising more rapidly since this time.

A warmer climate could affect our planet in a number of ways:
- Shrinking sea ice
How will climate change affect wildlife?

Climate change is already affecting wildlife all over the world, but certain species are suffering more than others. Polar animals - whose icy natural habitat is melting in the warmer temperatures - are particularly at risk. In fact, experts believe that the Arctic sea ice is melting at a shocking rate - 9% per decade! Polar bears need sea ice to be able to hunt, raise their young and as places to rest after long periods of swimming. Certain seal species, like ringed seals make caves in the snow and ice to raise their pups, feed and mate.

It's not just polar animals who are in trouble. Apes like orangutans, which live in the rainforests of Indonesia, are under threat as their habitat is cut down, and more droughts cause more bushfires.

Sea turtles rely on nesting beaches to lay their eggs, many of which are threatened by rising sea levels. Did you know that the temperature of nests determines whether the eggs are male or female? Unfortunately, with temperatures on the rise, this could mean that many more females are born than males, threatening future turtle populations.

How will people be affected by climate change?

Climate change won't just affect animals, it's already having an impact on people, too. Most affected are some of the people who grow the food we eat every day. Farming communities, especially in developing countries, are facing higher temperatures, increased rain, floods and droughts.

We Brits love a good cuppa, (around 165 million cups of the stuff every day!), but we probably take for granted just how much work goes into growing our tea. Environmental conditions can affect the flavour and quality plus it needs a very specific rainfall to grow. In Kenya, climate change is making rainfall patterns less and less predictable. Often there will be droughts followed by huge amounts rain, which makes it very difficult to grow tea.

Farmers might then resort to using cheap chemicals to improve their crop to earn more money, even when long-term use of these chemicals can destroy their soil.

How are people coping with climate change?

Buying Fairtrade products can help make sure a farmer is paid a fair wage. This means they can cover their costs, earn enough money to have a decent standard of living, and invest in their farms to keep their crop healthy, without needing to resort to cheap methods of farming which can further damage the environment.

This support also helps farmers to replace eucalyptus trees - which take up a lot of water - with indigenous trees that are better for the farmers' soil. They can learn to make fuel-efficient stoves which will not only make them a little extra money, but also reduce the carbon footprint of the community - cool!

How can I help prevent climate change?

Small changes in your own home can make a difference, too. Try switching to energy-saving lightbulbs, walking instead of using the car, turning off electrical items when you're not using them, recycling and reducing your food waste.

All these little things can make a difference. You can check out more eco-friendly ideas, in our kids' guide to saving the planet! Plus, check out our cool article about Greta Thunberg, too, to discover how young people are making their voices heard.

You can download information about Fairtrade and climate change for your school, here! www.fairtrade.org.uk/schools.

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What is climate change: facts for kids | National Geographic Kids

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What is climate change (a.k.a. global warming) & why is it happening? We explain how it affects our planet & how we can prevent it...

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This is the audit sheet for Sue Adam's video 'Sustainable Schools'.

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This is the project planning template for Sue Adam's video 'Sustainable Schools'.

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Greta Thunberg full speech at UN Climate Change COP24 Conference

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Short graphics and multimedia to demonstrate the effects of climate change

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Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet

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Explore

Interactives, galleries and apps

Images of Change

Explore a stunning gallery of before-and-after images of Earth from land and space that reveal our home planet in a state of flux.

Climate Time Machine

Travel through Earth's recent climate history and see how increasing carbon dioxide, global temperature and sea ice have changed over time.

Eyes on the Earth

Track Earth's vital signs from space and fly along with NASA's Earth-observing satellites in an interactive 3D visualization.

Global Ice Viewer

Earth's ice cover is shrinking. See how climate change has affected glaciers, sea ice, and continental ice sheets.

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national aeronautics and space administration

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Graphics and Multimedia | Resources - Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet

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Vital Signs of the Planet: Global Climate Change and Global Warming. Current news and data streams about global warming and climate change from NASA.

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Caring for our Earth pack from Science week 2022

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Author Michael Morpurgo and actors Jeremy Irons and Maxine Peake have joined forces to make a powerful new 5 minute film especially for you.

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Additional resources to compliment the book Climate SOS by Lucinda Jacob

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Sustainable Energy Authority Of Ireland | SEAI

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Get your own hardcopy of the book

School teachers can order a hard copy of the book in English or Irish for their class by emailing schools@seai.ie or borrow a school set (30 copies) from your local library. Parents and kids can also borrow their own copy from one of our listed libraries. Please download the list to see which libraries are stocking the book.

Download the ebook See participating libraries

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School teachers can order a hard copy of the book in English or Irish for their class by emailing schools@seai.ie or borrow a school set (30 copies) from your local library. Parents and kids can also borrow their own copy from one of our listed libraries.

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Listening and responding: Two Trees by Ludovico Einaudi

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Kids Book Read Aloud:  Last Tree in the City by Peter Carnavas ll bedtime stories 📚

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The first of the series, Run with the Wind is a great book to bring children on an adventure through the Irish countryside.

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Run with the Wind; ‘Don’t forget’, said the old fox, ‘if danger threatens, run with the wind …’ Hunted, trapped and harried, the foxes of Sinna search for ‘the secret of survival’ under the leadership of the elderly and blind Sage Brush. ‘the Watership Down of the fox world.’ The Irish Times

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A PowerPoint, as Gaeilge, introducing pupils to Ireland's woodlands

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Listening and responding: an interactive world map that let's you listen to sounds in nature from across the world.

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earth.fm: Listen to nature sounds, fall in love with the Earth

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A non-profit, growing library of immersive nature sounds from all over the world. Become part of our family and help preserve the planet.

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A simple Irish text about nature

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An tÁisaonad 2020

Téacs le Caoimhe Ní Dhonnaile

Íomhánna le pixabay.

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Banda 3

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Banda 4

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© An tÁisaonad 2021

Gach ceart ar cosaint. Ní ceadmhach aon chuid den fhoilseachán seo a atáirgeadh ná a tharchur ar aon mhodh nó slí, leictreonach nó meicniúil, fótachóipeáil, taifeadadh nó córas stórála agus athfhála eolais san áireamh, gan cead scríofa a fháil roimh ré ón fhoilsitheoir.

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© An tÁisaonad 2021 Gach ceart ar cosaint. Ní ceadmhach aon chuid den fhoilseachán seo a atáirgeadh ná a tharchur ar aon mhodh nó slí, leictreonach nó meicniúil, fótachóipeáil, taifeadadh nó córas stórála agus athfhála eolais san áireamh, gan cead scríofa a fháil roimh ré ón fhoilsitheoir.

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From www.hometree.ie

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Rainforest Project (trimmed version for website)

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The ISSN was founded to provide a forum for teachers and students to work in partnership to accelerate climate action, address the loss of nature, and prioritise sustainability in the Irish Education System.