In the following article, I share my thoughts on the online discussion organized by MIHUS on November 17th, titled "How to survive the environmental crisis as a world-caring young person? – a point for reflection in youth work".
During the aforementioned discussion, I recalled a moment that probably influenced my later career choice, which I also want to share with readers.
I recall from my school days, sometime during primary school – I don't remember the exact class – an exhibition on environmental issues in Tallinn's Old Town, perhaps within the premises of the Natural History Museum. I don't remember the exhibition's name either, but I do remember that it resonated with me far more deeply than any article about pollution, contamination, greenhouse gases, or any casual discussion heard at school. As far as I can remember, it was a traveling exhibition that toured various countries. I could easily be mistaken, but the exhibition was certainly real.
At the exhibition, environmental problems and the consequences of carelessness were made very clear. As the greenhouse effect, greenhouse gases, ozone holes, the impact of El Niño, and similar topics were discussed more at that time, the exhibition largely focused on these aspects. But there was also a strong emphasis on pollution and how a warming climate affects magnificent sculptures in Europe. The exhibition featured a room that depicted a dead forest – gray, stunted trees, a gloomy environment, with perceptible pollution underfoot. In short, a oppressive atmosphere with a depressing and mind-bending silence in the background. There was a room that showed the effect of humidity on sculptures, illustrating how a warming climate also destroys magnificent works of art built by humans. There was a room with pictures and figures of birds and animals that died as a result of marine pollution. There was also much more that I cannot recall at the moment.
While following the MIHUS web discussion and listening to the idea of how "terribly cool it is to bang pots and pans together" to draw attention to a problem, I remembered that exhibition from decades ago. Why couldn't we create a similar exhibition, display, or something similar now, where you physically experience all the horrors happening on Earth – water bodies full of trash, dead birds on oil fields, clear-cut rainforests, lands suffering from floods, lands suffering from drought, the consequences of mass overproduction, pollution (e.g., smog in big cities). The list would be endless. Simply showing a photo and watching documentaries is not as impactful as experiencing it yourself. As a side note, there are very good documentaries that should be shown more in schools, hobby groups, and youth centers. A documentary that discussed/showed the amount of plastic inside animals/birds made the young people at our youth center think deeply.
From the web discussion, I particularly liked the ideas conveyed by Liisa Puusepp, environmental awareness advisor at the Ministry of the Environment – to talk more and practically carry out activities in schools, hobby centers, youth centers, etc. To develop greater and closer cooperation with nature centers.
I have made offering nature education the main focus of the youth center. However, this doesn't mean we study birds, animals, plants. Or rather, we do learn, but with the perspective of how to cope with survival in nature. Which plant is useful to me, which plant is harmful, what does seeing an animal's track tell me, and so on. The skill of survival in nature and knowledge of heritage are part of how to talk to young people about the environment, to make them think and act towards nature conservation, even if it means banging pots and pans at a climate strike later. To bring young people back to their 'roots' for a moment and introduce them to how nature and humans can cooperate without harming each other. The main thing is that young people have a basic understanding of how nature works and climate systems, and this can be learned best by being in nature, not just by watching YouTube videos.
I would like to remind you that the climate is constantly changing, and we cannot stop it. However, when talking about human-induced climate change, we all have the opportunity and responsibility to live in a way that leaves the Earth healthy after us. Our example, voice, and actions must prevent pollution, contamination, overproduction, overconsumption, food waste, and similar issues. By setting an example for young people ourselves and by helping and guiding them in information activities within the community, we can draw attention to environmental problems at the national, and even global, level (Greta Thunberg).
As a hydrometeorologist by profession and currently working at a youth centre, it is not difficult for me to talk to young people about environmental issues, especially those concerning climate change.
Additional information: jaanika.palm@raad.tartu.ee
