New Deck Of Cards Designed To Deal Out A Greener Future

A new pack of cards brings a playful element to a serious topic – how to create a more sustainable world.

Called ‘A Curriculum for Sustainability Advocates’, the cards were designed by experts from the University of Auckland and local environmental organisations.

The colourful cards offer prompts for deep discussion, creativity and actions to help turn around the environmental crisis, says Associate Professor Sally Birdsall from the University’s Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society – Ngā Ara Whetū.

Birdsall and head of the School of Psychology Professor Niki Harré have worked on bringing the cards to life over the past year, so they can be used in school classrooms, universities and the wider community.

“Each card gives ideas for how people can develop their understanding of environmental sustainability, enact it in their life, and advocate for sustainability by sharing their ideas with others.

“We want to promote the teaching of sustainability, because otherwise we will face increasing threats from climate change and biodiversity loss,” says Birdsall.

Three workshops were held to co-design the cards, with 14 participants using their personal experiences of becoming an environmental advocate to inform the development of the pack.

“We asked the group to consider what are the essential teaching and learning experiences that shape a sustainability advocate.

“We came up with 18 cards, but we want ideas from a greater range of people to expand our pack,” says Birdsall.

Themes for the cards include nature, knowledge, imagination, relationships, values, and skills.

Blank cards are included in each set, so people can come up with their own topics and activities to explore.

About 20 packs of cards have been created so far and the cards will soon be available to download online.

Birdsall, whose work involves teaching science education to new teachers, would love to see a national curriculum for climate change and sustainability introduced to every primary and secondary school.

“Climate change has implications for education, because we have to help young people cope with the uncertainty it causes and help them with strategies, so they don’t feel so helpless in the face of all these environmental problems.

“It’s so doomy and gloomy, but feeling that you can do something to create change can give people more hope for the future.”

Currently schools have no requirement to teach sustainability education, instead focusing on preparing students to enter the workforce and contribute to the economy, says Birdsall.

“But we can’t have an economy if we don’t have a flourishing environment.

“As the card on te ao Māori says, people are part of the environment, not above it and not able to do whatever they want with it.”

Adults also need to step up their sustainability game, she says.

“We can’t leave it all up to youth to make the changes.

“There are lots of community projects people of any age can get involved with.”

The University granted $60,000 for the Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable World Project, which includes a series of videos showing local and international experts sharing their insights and inspiration for teaching sustainability.

The cards will be launched at a seminar on 16 May at 1pm at the University of Auckland level 3 conference centre, room 423-340, 42 Symonds St. Everyone is welcome to attend - register by emailing y.wang@auckland.ac.nz.

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