Think Global Act Local

How has the COVID-19 Pandemic changed the way you see sustainability?

I have been thinking a lot about this over the last couple of months.  I am in Melbourne and have been in Stage 4 lockdown for what feels like forever.  I don’t even know what day it is anymore! But, we are all doing what needs to be done to address the current crisis.  That’s a key word right there - crisis…

This crisis has shown that the world can come together to meet a challenge and take swift and decisive action.  We can change policies and invest at all levels of government, but it is the actions and decisions of individuals that make the difference - staying home, washing our hands, fronting up for testing... It is us who make the difference!  Collective action towards a common goal adds up.  

Remember that slogan from the 90's Think Global, Act Local.  It's very relevant in this circumstance.

It has changed the way we think about lots of things.  I have found I am much more mindful and considered in my decision making.  We have all been forced to slow down, take stock and re-connect.  It has given us an opportunity to re-imagine the future we want on the other side.

We have been reminded of the importance of being connected to our loved ones and local community and restorative power of nature.  Checking in with neighbours and supporting small and local businesses, community groups and charities. 

We have had to change the way we go about our lives.  We make do with what we have, because it’s easier than masking up and heading to the shops!  We buy local and support our small businesses so that they’ll be there on the other side. 

We share resources - lemons off the tree, toys and clothes (op shops aren’t accepting donations and all shops other than supermarkets and pharmacies are closed, online shopping is taking forever to arrive by post), children are inventing new ways to connect - we have Spoonvilles and rainbows and teddy bears having tea parties in gardens everywhere!  We have seen a great deal of re-localising.  We are spending time with our families, watching movies, playing games, baking.  We appreciate the little things more.

Conversations about mental health are common, and we are beginning to take our mental health seriously.  Family violence and the way our elders are treated and cared for has also received much attention.

We have also demonstrated incredible adaptability.  Educators have had to adapt and think of new ways to approach their program - many are delivering parts of their program online for the first time!  

We are flexible.  We are adaptable.  We are resilient.  Change is possible.

These are all really positive things, and I hope that these lessons stay with us as we move forward.

It’s funny, I always said that in order to create change you have to create a crisis!  It wakes people up.  Shakes them from complacency and apathy.  It doesn't always need to be of the scale of a global pandemic, but to be honest, if the scientists are right, what's coming over the next few decades is not going to be any less disruptive.  Hopefully we can learn from these experiences and prepare for what ever is thrown our way next, or even better, do what needs to be done to cushion the blow or minimise the impacts.

While COVID-19 will pass, or at least subside; crises like climate change and biodiversity loss will not.  We need to take the momentum created by this crisis and channel it towards change for sustainability.

I was thinking about what this might look like in early childhood and how we could tap into this global momentum.  How can we connect the actions we take as individuals, or families or early childhood services, or schools, or communities and connect to these global issues.  The United Nations Goals for Sustainable Development seemed like a great place to start!  These provide a great framework that covers all aspects of sustainability.

I have been working on an Early Childhood Guide to the Sustainable Development Goals as part of my soon to be released Sustainability Toolbox!  I worked through each of the 17 Goals and came up with some ideas for how early years services could contribute to achieving them.  And do you know what, there were heaps!  AND it was really easy to align them with both the Early Years Learning Framework Learning Outcomes and the National Quality Standards.  To me that demonstrates how well aligned sustainability and early years policies, programs and practices can be.

If you want to find out more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals check them out here.  If you’d like a more child friendly version check out the Good Life Goals.

What can you do to capture momentum in your service?  What will you do with it?  What are your big picture sustainability goals?  Do they align with the Global Goals?

I'd love you to share your thoughts over in the Early Years Sustainability Facebook Group...