Around the world, April 22nd is set aside as time to consider the impact of our actions on the environment. Celebrated since 1970, Earth Day is a reminder of the ongoing work we all need to do to combat climate change and live more sustainably. This year’s theme was “Planet versus Plastics” and the focus was on how we can all reduce the amount of single-use plastics, which are a significant contributor to many environmental issues.
At Trinity College School, both the Junior and Senior Schools held a non-uniform day on Monday, with students dressing in the colours of the Earth – blue, green or brown. Some students in the Junior School showed even more spirit by adding flowers, pine cones and other items from nature to their outfit.
The Junior School actually began honouring Earth Day the week prior, with the Eco Warriors club presenting an assembly on Tuesday, April 16th. In addition to some fun trivia, the club members talked about the “6 Rs” as they apply to doing a “plastic detox”: Rethinking the way we design things to keep the environment in mind; Refusing plastic products (e.g. not opting for plastic bags at checkouts or choosing products with less packaging); Reducing how much plastic we buy/use; Reusing the plastic products we already own and avoiding single-use products; Recycling plastics properly; Repairing plastic products rather than disposing of them. The homeform classrooms also held quiz games on Thursday and Friday (www.earthday.org/earth-day-quizzes).
On Monday, the Grade 5 to 8 students put their knowledge into action, taking part in litter clean-ups, making plastic detox pledges and playing plastic pollution trivia.
In the Senior School, Trinity Environmental Action Club (TEAC) hosted an Earth Day chapel on the theme of “Planet vs. Plastics.” Then, at morning break, TEAC teamed up with Cultural Awareness Group and the Arts Council to host the annual “Endangered Species Recycling Sculptures” contest. Held in conjunction with Arts Week, the contest saw the 10 Senior School houses compete to create the sculptures of endangered animal species using recyclable goods (such as pop cans, plastic cups, scrap paper). At the same time, there was a “Shoot for Sustainability” game (aiming items into the right waste sorting bins) and a “Which is MOGO?” activity where students tried to select which actions were “more good” for the environment. At lunchtime, the Senior School eco-stewards hosted a food sustainability survey outside of Osler Hall.
With Earth Day occurring during TCS Arts Week, several of our Senior School art students displayed thought-provoking artworks that question the relationship between human activity and the future of humans and nature. One piece emulated the work of Nele Azevedo, with melting ice figures disappearing in front of our very eyes. Another multi-piece display explored the linkages between societal collapse and environmental degradation with sketches and paintings showing people wearing oxygen masks or people plucking nature off of the soil.
The reality is that our use of plastics is not only polluting our water and land, it is also linked to adverse health effects in animals, including humans. There are many ways each of us can help to reduce the amount of plastic in our world – rethinking what we purchase, how we use products and how we dispose of them. Every action that lightens our reliance on plastic is a win for the planet! Earth Day is every day.
