Why schools should embrace environmental sustainability

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OPINION

By Rehema Ibrahim

Environmental sustainability is the proper use and management of natural resources to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Environmental sustainability helps conserve natural resources like water, soil and forests, overall improves the quality of life and ensures long-term stability of the earth’s resources.

The rising environmental challenges call for actors, especially in primary schools where pupils spend 75% of the year, to host large numbers of the young generation to impart environmental sustainability practices and values, which will then be adopted as a way of life.

The available estimates from local producers indicate that 1 ton of polythene generates 450,000 single-use carrier bags (Kaveera). Approximately 600 tons of plastic waste are produced every day, and only 6% of the waste is recycled. 

These polythene bags are often thrown carelessly after use, and when it rains, they are washed into trenches, culverts, and drainage channels, which has led to blockages thereafter floods affecting our communities.

It’s business as usual in Uganda to find an empty dustbin with rubbish around it, signifying that people are not aware of the benefits of environmental sustainability, hence intensifying the challenge. My appeal is that primary schools should support by making sustainability a norm so that the young generation can value the environment and adopt it as a lifestyle in future.

This can be achieved through embracing the 3Rs of reduce, reuse and recycle, where schools minimise the sale of drinks and eats in plastic packaging in the canteens, replace disposable utensils, water bottles and cutlery with reusable stainless steel and aluminium.

Ensure all waste in schools is well sorted and separated at source, for example, use different colours for plastic, metal, paper and organic waste.

Plant indigenous trees like mangos, jackfruit, avocado and oranges, which provide shade, fruits, and fresh air, then assign each learner an environmental responsibility of taking care of a tree.

Like we have other clubs, for example, debate, interact and math clubs, it is important to focus our energies on the Green clubs as well by rewarding green projects in primary schools.

Let’s preserve our environment and keep our country like the Garden of Eden, clean, fresh and productive.

The writer is a student of Master of Business Administration (MBA), Strategy and Communication, Makerere University Business School