What a waste
What a Waste, By Jess French
Category: Bicycler
Summary:
Jess French, the author of What a Waste, is a British veterinarian and author who was also a presenter of a television program called Minibeast Adventure with Jess which aired on CBeebies. In the introduction of the book, Jess states, “Humans are now producing more waste than ever before and our planet is suffering. I truly believe that if everyone was aware of how bad their trash is for the planet, they would take steps to change it. By spreading the word, I hope we can begin to turn the ride on waste and make our world a nicer cleaner place for all of us to enjoy. Luckily, there are simple solutions to many of our waste problems. And the power to make a positive change is in our hands.”
Plus points:
Each page is its own lesson. Feel free to cover each topic in the order of the pages in the book, or skip around by asking your child which topic interests them most that day. Many parents want their children to be environmentally conscious and ecologically responsible but don’t know where to begin. What a Waste is a great educational tool and discussion starter for both adults and children.
Discussion points with your kid:
What house rules can we keep, change, or make to reduce our family’s waste?
In the store
On dining table
In the bathroom
In rooms
In the garage
In schools
Organize an activity with your child and their friends
Make a day of picking up the park, beach, or street trash.
Consider the wildlife-human waste has impacted and link responsible habits with animal ecology.
Something else to consider:
Focus on Optimism
Discussing the impact humans have had on the planet can be tough. It’s important for parents to consider and share some of the positive changes humans have made and the environmental movements that are just beginning. Optimism around the environment is a critical way to get your child on board to help heal and save the planet.
The Netflix series Our Planet is a great example. This documentary exhibits the planet's natural beauty while providing an examination of how climate change impacts all living creatures on our planet. However, each season not only addresses the problems we are facing but also narrates some examples of how humans have worked together to overcome our mistakes and the impact of those corrections The breathtaking imagery in this documentary is a big bonus as well. If you have a child who is attached to certain animals, it may be a great idea to start off with the episodes that show how those animals live and how climate change impacts them directly.
