Will Our Kids Be The Solution To Climate Change?

The Lempert Report
July 11, 2018

Across the pond, Project Earth Rock creates songs, animation and videos about sustainability for schools.

One of their customers is Fleet primary school in north London, where children between the ages of three and 11 are learning songs about climate change and the environment. Music as we all know can be a very effective tool for change and for understanding. The cost is based on the number of students and whether you want to purchase a single lesson or the full pack. For example, the Standard program that covers 401-600 students for one lesson would cost the equivalent of $42.35, for the full pack lesson plan it runs $465.80.
 
Project Earth Rock’s website says Research tells us that the majority of the population is concerned about climate change and while they would like to do something about it, a sense of powerlessness and an overload of confusing messages prevent behaviour change.”
 
Songs featuring fossil fuels, composting, growing vegetables and the impact of transport have all become popular in the Fleet classes.
 
For the teachers, the Guardian reports, music is proving to be a useful tool in explaining subjects that may otherwise be considered complex or inaccessible for young children. “The kids love singing about green issues,” says Beth Cleine, head of science and arts at the school. “They learn simple, catchy songs and sing them in the classroom or all together in assembly. It’s a fun way to learn.” 
 
In fact a group of the students performed some of the songs at last year’s Camden Music Festival at the Royal Albert Hall.
 
The topics also lend themselves to a number of different aspects of the curriculum or campaigns such as walk to school week. Cleine told The Guardian: “When we set up the compost bins, we learn the ‘compost and growing’ song and produce artwork in relation to it, too. The arts and other curriculum areas are continually connected. Teaching the children to be sustainable has nice science, humanities and responsible citizenship links.” 
 
Might be a great addition to our schools as well, and just maybe we can make changes to combat Climate Change.