Sustainability means looking after our planet so that people, animals, and nature can live safely and happily — not just today, but also in the future. It’s like being kind to the Earth and making sure we don’t use too much of its resources, like water, trees, or energy. The Earth gives us everything we need: clean air to breathe, food to eat, water to drink, and places to live. But if we use too much or throw things away carelessly, we can hurt the environment and make it hard for others to live well, especially future generations.

To live sustainably, we try to reduce waste by reusing things, recycling paper, plastic, and metal, and not throwing things away that can still be used. We also save energy by turning off lights and electronics when we don’t need them, and we save water by turning off the tap while brushing our teeth. Walking, biking, or using public transport helps reduce pollution. We also make smart choices when we shop — like buying things with less packaging or choosing reusable items.

Sustainability is also about caring for other people and being fair. Everyone in the world should have clean water, good food, and a safe place to live. By thinking about others and the environment when we make choices, we are helping to build a better world.

Even small actions can make a big difference! When we care for the planet every day — at home, at school, or outside — we help create a healthier, happier Earth for ourselves and for the children who will come after us. That’s what sustainability is all about.

But sustainability is not only about the environment — it’s also about taking care of ourselves.

Being sustainable means looking after your own mind and feelings too. Just like we need clean air and healthy food, we also need to feel happy, calm, and safe inside. That means getting enough sleep, talking about our feelings, playing outside in nature, spending time with kind friends, and taking breaks when we feel tired or upset. When we take care of our mental and emotional health, we have more energy to help others and make good choices for the planet.

So, sustainability is not just about recycling or saving water — it’s also about being kind to yourself and finding balance in your life. When your heart and mind feel good, and you care for the world around you, you are helping to build a better, more peaceful future for everyone.

1. Think 

• Give each student a blank Venn diagram with two overlapping circles.

• Label one circle “Sustainable Lifestyle” and the other “Non-Sustainable Lifestyle.” The overlapping area is for common features.

• Ask students to spend 5 minutes filling in the diagram by writing examples or habits that belong to each category and what might be shared by both.

• Encourage them to think carefully about what actions or choices make a lifestyle sustainable or not.

2. Pair 

• Have students pair up with a classmate.

• Together, they compare their Venn diagrams, discussing similarities and differences.

• Each pair prepares to present their combined ideas to the class, explaining the categories and overlap in their diagrams.

• Allow about 5 minutes for discussion and preparation.

3. Share 

• Invite each pair to briefly present their Venn diagram insights to the class.

• While pairs present, write down key points and recurring themes on the board or digital display.

• Summarize the common ideas to reinforce understanding of sustainable vs. non-sustainable lifestyles and areas of overlap.

Provide a simple Venn diagram template for students who need it. Encourage students to think critically and provide examples from daily life. Support pairs during discussion by circulating and prompting deeper thinking.

Watch selected excerpts from the following sustainability-themed films. After each clip, lead a discussion focused on the challenges presented and explore what actions we—as individuals, schools, or communities—can take in response. Encourage students to reflect on both local and global solutions, and inspire critical thinking about personal responsibility and collective action. Briefly introduce the film’s theme and context.

Before the Flood (2016) – Leonardo DiCaprio travels globally to witness climate change’s severe impacts and explore solutions with scientists, policymakers, and activists. A powerful wake‑up call for urgent environmental action. greenecodream.com+7eevie+7OPUMO+7Utopia+1Haus von Eden+1
An Inconvenient Truth (2006) – Al Gore’s landmark documentary that brought public focus to global warming and its consequences. The Hill
Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet (2021) – Featuring David Attenborough and Johan Rockström, this film explores Earth’s critical tipping points and pathways to keep us within safe planetary boundaries.

• What was the main issue shown?

• How did the people in the film respond?

• What could we do if we faced a similar situation?

• Are there any real-life examples in our community?

Environmental Protection: Conserving natural resources, reducing pollution, and protecting ecosystems to maintain the planet’s health.

Social Equity Ensuring fair access to resources, opportunities, and a good quality of life for all people, now and in the future.

Economic Viability Supporting economic growth and development that does not harm the environment or social well-being.

Renewable Resources Using resources that can naturally replenish, like solar energy, wind, and sustainably harvested forests.

Waste Reduction Minimizing waste production through recycling, reusing, and reducing consumption.

Climate Change Mitigation Taking actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts.

Intergenerational Responsibility Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Biodiversity Conservation Protecting the variety of life on Earth to maintain resilient ecosystems.

Sustainable Consumption Making mindful choices to use resources efficiently and ethically.

Systems Thinking Understanding how environmental, social, and economic systems interact and affect one another. 

Eco-Action Relay

Set up 5 to 8 stations in a large space such as a playground, gym, or classroom with enough room to run or move safely. Each station will have a simple activity related to sustainability.

1. Divide the children into teams of about 4 to 6 players each.

2. Explain the game rules: one player from each team runs to the first station, completes the activity, then runs back and tags the next player.

3. The relay continues until all team members have completed all stations. The team that finishes first and completes the activities correctly wins.

Station 1: Sort the Waste

• Provide children with pictures or actual objects representing different types of waste, like plastic bottles, banana peels, or paper. Their task is to decide whether each item belongs in the recycling bin, compost, or trash. This teaches about sorting waste properly.

• Station 2: Water Saver Challenge
  Give each child a cup filled with water. They need to carefully carry it along a short path without spilling. This simulates saving water and highlights how precious it is to avoid waste.

• Station 3: Choose Your Transport
  Show pictures of different transport options like a car, bike, and bus. The children choose the most eco-friendly option and explain why it’s better for the environment. This encourages thinking about sustainable travel.

• Station 4: Lights Out!
  Set up pretend light switches or a “room” area. The child has to turn off the lights (or cover the light source) before running back. This activity promotes saving electricity.

• Station 5: Local Food Sorting
  Give children images or models of foods from local sources and others from far away. Their task is to sort the foods into “local” and “imported.” You can explain why eating local food is better for reducing pollution.

• Station 6: Eco Pledge Jump
  Ask children to think of eco-friendly habits, like “I will turn off the tap while brushing my teeth” or “I will recycle plastic.” For each pledge they say, they do a jump or hop, turning it into a fun physical pledge activity.

• Station 7: Bee Pollination Crawl
  Explain how bees help plants grow by spreading pollen. The child crawls like a bee from one flower station to another, simulating pollination. This teaches about biodiversity and the importance of pollinators.

• Station 8: Plant a Seed
  Have the child pretend to plant a seed in the ground, water it, and then act out the seed growing into a plant by stretching up tall. This station promotes the idea of planting trees and caring for nature.

Create a short (1–2 minute) video explaining the climate problem clearly and engagingly. Through this, students will improve communication skills and deepen their understanding of climate change and sustainability.

Research

• Investigate the causes of climate change (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation).

• Explore the effects of climate change (e.g., rising temperatures, extreme weather, loss of biodiversity).

• Find possible solutions and actions individuals can take (e.g., using renewable energy, reducing waste).

• Use trustworthy sources like scientific websites, documentaries, and books.

Script Writing

• Write a clear script that answers these questions:

  • What is the main message of your video?

  • How can you explain the causes and effects in a way that is easy to understand?

  • What solutions or individual actions can help solve the problem?

• Keep the language simple and engaging.

Video Shooting

• Use a smartphone or camera to record your video.

• Include creative elements like interviews, animations, or demonstrations to make the video interesting.

• Speak clearly and confidently.

Editing

• Edit your video to improve flow and clarity.

• Add titles, captions, or background music if possible.

Sharing

• Present your video to your classmates, school, or upload it online.

• Be ready to explain your video briefly and answer questions from your audience.

Students will use science, technology, engineering, and math skills to design and create eco-friendly products that solve a specific environmental problem.

Materials:

• Recycled materials (e.g., cardboard, plastic bottles, fabric scraps)

• Art supplies (markers, glue, scissors)

• Digital devices (tablets, computers)

• Access to online research resources

1. Problem Identification

• Think about environmental problems you care about, such as plastic waste, water pollution, or energy use.

• Choose one problem to focus on for your product design.

2. Needs Assessment

• Learn more about your chosen problem.

• You can interview experts, ask people in your community, or create surveys to understand challenges and needs.

• Gather information to help guide your design.

3. Design Thinking

• Empathize: Understand who will use your product and what their needs are.

• Define: Clearly describe the problem your product will solve.

• Ideate: Brainstorm many ideas for solutions without judging them.

• Prototype: Build simple models or sketches of your best ideas using materials.

• Test: Try out your prototype to see what works and what needs improvement.

4. Materials and Resources

• Research which recycled or eco-friendly materials will work best for your product.

• Choose safe, sustainable materials that fit your design and purpose.

5. Product Development

• Create detailed drawings, plans, and specifications of your final product.

• Use math and measurements to make your design precise.

6. Testing and Evaluation

• Test your product to check if it solves the problem effectively.

• Evaluate its environmental impact — is it truly eco-friendly? Can it be reused or recycled?

• Make improvements if needed.

7. Presentation

• Present your product to your class or community group.

• Explain your design process step-by-step.

• Describe the environmental benefits of your product.

• Share any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

1. Choose Local Foods

   • Pick fruits, vegetables, and other foods that are grown or made in your country or region.

   • Local food travels a shorter distance, which means less fuel, less pollution, and fresher products.

2. Buy Seasonal Products

   • Learn which fruits and vegetables grow in your country at different times of the year.

   • Avoid foods that had to be grown in heated greenhouses or flown in from far away.

3. Choose Organic or Eco-Labeled Products

   • Look for foods with labels like “organic,” “eco,” or other certifications that show they were grown in environmentally friendly ways, without harmful chemicals.

4. Avoid Too Much Packaging

   • Try to pick foods with less plastic or unnecessary wrapping.

   • Choose products in paper, glass, or reusable containers if possible.

5. Eat Less Meat and More Plant-Based Foods

   • Meat production uses a lot of land, water, and energy.

   • Try adding more vegetables, beans, and grains to your meals. Even one plant-based day per week makes a difference!

6. Don’t Waste Food

   • Only buy what you really need.

   • Eat leftovers and store food properly so it doesn’t spoil.

1. When shopping, help your family choose at least one sustainable food item.

2. Take a picture of the product or write it down.

3. Explain your choice: Why is this food better for the environment?

4. Share your idea in class or write it in a journal:
   “Today I chose ___ because it is better for the planet. I learned that ___.”

"Today I helped choose apples from a local farm instead of imported ones. They didn’t need to travel far, so they used less fuel and are better for the planet."

The KWL chart is a simple and effective tool that helps students organize their knowledge and guide their learning. 

KWL chart:

• K – What I Know
  Students write down everything they already know or believe about sustainability. This helps to clarify their prior knowledge.

• W – What I Want to Know
  In this section, students list questions or topics they are curious about and want to learn during the lessons. This sparks curiosity and motivates learning.

• L – What I Learned
  This part is completed at the end of the lesson, where students reflect and summarize what new information they have gained.

KWL chart on a digital platform

A convenient and interactive way to fill out the KWL chart is by using Google Jamboard or Padlet — these are free digital whiteboards where students can collaboratively add and organize their ideas.

Steps to create a digital KWL chart:

1. Create a new board or page in Google Jamboard or Padlet.

2. Share the board with students via a sharing link.

3. Divide the board into three columns with the headings: K (What I Know), W (What I Want to Know), and L (What I Learned).

4. Encourage students to add their thoughts as sticky notes in the correct columns.

At the end of the lesson, fill out the L column together, reflecting on what was learned. 

• The average person throws away around 1.5 kilograms of waste per day. Reducing waste helps protect the planet.Every year, about 1/3 of all food produced in the world is wasted. That’s around 1.3 billion tons!

• Plastic can take up to 1,000 years to decompose in landfills. That’s why reducing plastic use is so important.

• Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for 3 hours.

• LED light bulbs use up to 80% less energy than regular light bulbs.

• Bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials on Earth — it grows back super fast!

• Trees not only give us oxygen — they also absorb CO₂, helping fight climate change.

• Fast fashion (cheap, fast-made clothes) is one of the biggest polluters in the world.

• Composting turns food scraps into healthy soil and reduces landfill waste.

• If everyone lived like the average person in Europe, we’d need 2–3 Earths to support us.

• Using reusable bags, bottles, and containers can prevent tons of waste each year.

• Sustainability includes fairness — making sure all people have access to food, water, and education.

• Even small changes, like saying no to straws or bringing your own lunchbox, help create a more sustainable world.