Happy Earth Day 2020! This 50th anniversary of Earth Day looked a little different than our usual version in that many of us were doing MOGO (more good) at a distance and sharing through social media. Trinity College School became involved in Earth Day celebrations right from 1970 with the late Jack Goering ’43 (former master), Pat Lawson (daughter of Headmaster Philip Ketchum ’16 and wife of retired master Tom Lawson ’47) and others leading the way. In recent years, the Junior School has run its annual campus litter clean-up, while Trinity Environmental Action Club and each Senior School house have pursued student-led actions from tree-plants to 100-mile meals to power down campaigns.
Hope for the future was seen this week in the creative and caring manner in which individuals and groups in the TCS community shared their voices and actions. Senior School students took up this week’s Bears @ Home Instagram challenge to send in or post photos of what they’re doing to lower their footprint. Among the actions, Burns House made a Green Cup Bingo for the girls, Wright House and Scott House created get-outside nature challenges, and Brent House posted daily challenges for the boys which included a cool response by one student who was learning how to graft fruit trees. Although TEAC could not host its annual Earth Day Chapel, club members shared tips and enthusiasm in messages to the School.
The Junior School also encouraged students to take eco-actions with their families this week. It was lovely to see photos of students tending tiny vegetable seedlings and getting out to clean up litter in their neighbourhoods (with gloves on!). One of the most inspiring examples of MOGO was an original musical composition by two of our lovely Grade 5 students, written for Earth Day and the annual Boulden’s Got Talent showcase, with a huge dose of the habits of the heart & mind, and the help of Billy the Ukelele! Click here to watch their video performance.
When we return from COVID-19, one of the biggest challenges the world will still be facing is climate change. Earlier in the year, the Grade 7 students created climate action collages as part of a culminating project in their science unit. These are in recognition of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #13, which is this year’s Earth Day theme: Climate Action. Three collages that stood out included the following messages:
- Our planet isn’t a landfill so stop treating it like one. We have to change our ways to stop climate change. – Kendra
- We can’t rely on polar bears to stop a problem that we created. – Kennedy
- Give back the sun’s rays so I can live my dog days. – Addy with her puppy
TCS continues to show its commitment to doing MOGO for people and the planet!
- By Alison Elliott, TCS environmental coordinator
