TURN IT
AROUND!

How to

TURN IT AROUND! is a toolkit to help us radically reimagine education in response to the climate and ecological emergency.  There is no one right way to use them, but here are some ideas that may get you started in turning this emergency around.

 

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THE FRAGILE FABRIC OF LIFE

When we pollute nature, we’re not just leaving waste on the Earth’s surface – we’re tearing apart the fragile fabric of life. We poison rivers, destroy forests that give us clean air, and condemn future generations to struggle for survival in...

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LEARN ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY

Climate education should be included in our curriculum today to change our attitudes and behaviors in order to respond to the global climate emergency. Environmental literacy would encourage people to become agents of change. Climate education will h...

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LIGHT SOMEONE’S DARKNESS

What stops me when I am on the verge of giving up is the fact that one day in the future my voice and words will motivate all those young minds who think that one failure can catastrophically destroy their future. Even in a situation when things make...

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SOMETIMES ANIMALS ARE MORE GENEROUS THAN PEOPLE

Humans can be arrogant and selfish. Sometimes, they refuse to do even what’s in their own best interest. Of course, human intelligence may surpass that of any other living being – but it’s essential for every creature – human, animal, or plan...

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THERE’S STILL A CHANCE

The current state of natural ecosystems reminds us of an old saying: ‘We don’t cherish what we have – we cry only after it’s gone.’...

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NATURE IS THE SECOND MOTHER

Nature is the second mother from whom I learn the lessons of four elements essential to life. Water teaches me how to calm and keep going when meeting any obstacles. Fire teaches me how to be a burning star. Earth teaches me how to be patient. Air te...

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WE NEED MORE THAN TRADITIONAL SUBJECTS TO FIGHT THE CLIMATE CRISIS

We should view climate education as important as any other studies such as medicine or law. In climate education, we, the young generation, are not just bound to study the science behind climate change. Instead, we should see climate education as the...

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THE THOUGHT OF THE SUN RISING

Just the thought of the sun rising afresh the next day gives me hope and excitement about what the future holds....

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DEVELOPMENT IS UNNECESSARY EVIL

Remember that development is unnecessary evil. It may make my life luxurious and easy, but it should not jeopardise my basic right of a blue sky, clean air, water and soil. I do not want to be pumped with chemicals and energy shots for food and gaspi...

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RESPECT ALL LIVING BEINGS

We must learn to respect not only human but all living beings on Earth...

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TWO COMMON SAYINGS USED IN MY FAMILY

There are two common sayings used in my family. They are the lessons from my ancestors: 1. जो प्राप्त है, वो पर्याप्त है (Whatever we possess, is what is enough) 2. ये दुनिया चलती...

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LEARN INTERDEPENDENCE

Nature as an ecosystem of life on this earth has a very important role for all living things on it. If there is damage to nature, it will directly affect all living things....

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RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF ALL LIVING AND NON-LIVING BEINGS

My ancestors have taught me that we are supposed to be custodians of all life on Earth. This means that we should not just plant trees and keep the environment clean where we can, but we should take the extra step to ensure that the rights of every s...

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NATURAL BALANCE

The words of Tajik poet Rudaki in his poem Shahri Maydon (The City Square): “When a person disrupts nature’s balance – suffering is inevitable, for the Earth avenges its wounds.” These lines remind us of nature’s fragility and the consequen...

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TRANSFORM UNSUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS

We are living through a social and environmental crisis, which is rooted in systemic inequities. Young people are confronted with this every day. We can’t achieve the change necessary for our survival by using the same systems that got us here in t...

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IN HARMONY WITH NATURE

Nature is like a loyal friend, always by your side. Its warm sun, the whisper of the wind, and the gentle sound of the river bring peace and happiness. When the world feels too loud and fast, nature helps us find silence. Standing by a lake or walkin...

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EVERYTHING ON EARTH HAS ITS OWN PURPOSE

Human ego tends to think of things in nature as being useful for us or useless in general. It’s a pretty incredible conceit. Truly observing nature teaches us that everything on Earth has its own purpose and we should value what each creature d...

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Produced by CAPS Unlock in partnership with the UNESCO Almaty, and in collaboration with the Mary Lou Fulton College of Teaching and Learning Innovation at Arizona State University and the Artists’ Literacies Institute. Designers: Ilya Osipov, Matv...

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THE STILLNESS OF NATURE

In the stillness of nature I have learned to listen to my inner voice, to follow my intuition and to explore new paths. I have learned that I need sun, water, clean air and that, in a way, I am like a tree: my passage through life must produce sh...

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