Environment and Our Community III students, in the final quarter of this year-long “strand” course, participated in several activities during BC Earth Week 2022. In advance of the event, they learned about Earth Day’s origins and watched footage of the huge crowds – mostly college students – that gathered all around the world in 1970.
They watched a video on how to make posters that engage the community and inspire people to action; then they made their own Earth Day posters (below) to be displayed as part of the campus festivities.
The high point of the week was attending a public seminar called “Climate Conversations: Take Action! Using Your Voice to Engage Your Community.” The title was perfect for the OLS students – a chance to take ideas they’ve studied all year, and practice having conversations about environmental issues with people they had never met before. The co-presenters were Dr. Helen Taylor of BC’s Psychology Dept., and Wendy Pickering, an Emerita member of the English faculty, both of whom have integrated environmental sustainability and climate justice into their courses.
In class, to help gather their thoughts ahead of time, the students had all written a paragraph on something they’ve learned about our environment that they could share with other people. Their responses ranged through nearly all of the topics covered in class over the preceding six months.
And so, on the day of the seminar itself, they were ready. The 40 or so attendees included students and faculty from several departments; members of Emericorps, a group of retired BC faculty dedicated to environmental and social justice causes; and members of the general public. As soon as the hosts asked, “What are your concerns about the climate’s future?” a dozen arms shot up into the air. Guess who?
Taylor and Pickering gave helpful pointers on how to start and carry on a conversation about climate change: Know why the crisis matters to you. Have some facts ready, but you don’t need to be an expert. Connect by telling a personal story, and finding mutual interests or concerns.
And with someone who has different beliefs from your own: The best way to talk…is to listen.
Now it was time to give all this a try. Everyone was asked to turn to someone at their table they did not know, introduce themselves, and “Tell the other person something you love to do outdoors.” The buzz of conversation began right away. Knowing in advance what they were going to talk about, our students found they could easily adapt to an activity that might otherwise be very uncomfortable for them.
Afterward, back in the classroom, the students wrote reflections on the whole experience. Daniel said: “I talked about renewable energy. Talking about Earth Week was a good conversation starter. It helped me talk to a total stranger.”
Ella Mae wrote, “I was comfortable in talking to someone I didn’t know at the workshop. I got to learn that I had something in common with another student. I was confident in sharing what I had to say.”
Ky learned, “how to approach conversations and how to talk to people about climate change.”
Franco pointed out that “I learned a little bit about their values regarding the environment, and they learned something about me regarding my views.”
Anastasia noted: “I really liked how they had us collaborate with others…I like how we practiced talking to another individual about the environment without a fight.”
Jullian’s conversation partner “was nice and fun to talk to…she told me that the earth is like a gift, and it is something we should not take for granted…that we should take good care of the earth itself.”
“I gained a better understanding of how climate change is impacting the planet,” said Gordon, “and my awareness has increased.”
Meanwhile, Kenassa was ready for more: “I would love to speak to climate change experts and state and federal legislators to hopefully change minds and laws regarding the health of the planet.”
Student Earth Day Posters:
Occupational & Life Skills (OLS) Bellevue College is an associate degree program for adults with learning disabilities.
Environment & Our Community is one of the many courses our students take to obtain their degree. More information about our curriculum is available on our website. To learn more about our program register for an upcoming Information Session.
Last Updated June 2, 2022