“Don’t underestimate your power. When your voice and your actions are united with thousands or millions of others around the world, we create a movement that is inclusive, impactful, and impossible to ignore.” EARTHDAY.ORG
Just as climate change is impossible to ignore, so too is the energy, enthusiasm, and commitment of our students and school to “taking care of this place” – our planet. Next week, our students will be joining more than a billion people around the world in taking positive action in support of the environment.
The theme of ISKL’s Earth Week is Restore and as you will read in our divisional news, students will be involved in a huge range of activities, organized by faculty and also student-led, to learn more about biodiversity, the impact of climate change, how to assess their carbon footprint, plant seedlings, nurture vegetables and herbs – to name a few. The focus of the week is not only to create awareness but also to learn and practice the skills needed to affect positive change.
Equipping students with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to take action isn’t a week-long activity. It takes place every day at ISKL and sees our school’s sustainability program grounded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are embedded in our curriculum and culture. Both in and out of the classroom our students learn to investigate issues, reflect and turn their ideas and findings into action. Why do we believe this is so important? Because thoughtful and educated young people make a difference. Equipped with knowledge and skills they will make wise choices and contribute to improving conditions for themselves, others, and our planet.
I encourage you to watch this Earth Hour video and join me and my family when we symbolically switch everything off for ISKL’s Middle School Earth Hour at 8 pm on Wednesday, April 22. The message of the video is that we are all in this together, and as EARTHDAY.ORG succinctly states, “It is up to each and every one of us to Restore Our Earth™ not just because we care about the natural world, but because we live on it. We all need a healthy Earth to support our jobs, livelihoods, health and survival, and happiness. A healthy planet is not an option — it is a necessity.”
Yes, we have a major task ahead of us. However, I deeply believe in the positive impact of education and that our students, our mission and vision as a school, and our community can make the world of difference to our planet’s future.
In partnership,
Rami Madani
Head of School
