Catholic schools could offer classes in ecology, environmental science, and other topics that not only prepare students for the growing workforce in alternative energy and climate change adaptation, but give them the scientific and ethical backgrounds they will need to live a more sustainable lifestyle.  Alternatively, Pope Francis stresses that “our efforts at education will be inadequate and ineffectual unless we strive to promote a new way of thinking about human beings, life, society and our relationship with nature.”  Existing courses in science, business, social studies, and theology could be updated to include a more robust treatment of the environment, creation care theology, environmental ethics, and environmental economics.  

U.S. EPA’s web site contains a database packed with fun activities for students that includes games, quizzes, and cool stuff that teach lessons in energy, air, water, recycling, chemicals, waste, and environmental health. NASA, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Wildlife Federation have all contributed activities. In addition, the site contains information on how to conduct a waste audit for the school, pack a waste free lunch, and the life cycle of a soccer ball. For more information about these activities, visit Eco-portal.

Did you know? Over 20 colleges in Massachusetts offer majors in Environmental Science, Ecology, and Biology. Out of those colleges, 15 were featured in The Princeton Review’s “Guide to 375 Green Colleges.”