AFON
Inspiring The Next Generation – by Georgia Locock
Welcome to our series of blog posts in the run up to the general election (7th May 2015). Over this month AFON members will share their own Visions for Nature: what they want the natural world to look like by 2050 and how they want to get there. We have created a hashtag on Twitter so why not join the conversation? What’s your #VisionforNature?
For every young child there is a link to the natural world. The longing to explore and be unaware of the real problems around them or those that they will face in the future. Running around freely, climbing trees, making daisy chains, rolling down grass banks, collecting lady birds, the list is endless! This is something that’s been there forever, Humans originated from learning and working with their surroundings to live and survive. Moving a bit further into the future, my parents and grandparents tell me stories about how they’re childhood was based on the outdoor world, if they were bored they’d go out and enjoy everything from riding their bikes to climbing trees and exploring fields. There was an abundance of many species compared to today.
Whilst listening to these stories I can’t help but realise how you have to be lucky to experience this today. As soon as children are born they’re straight away introduced to technology. They grow with this and become addicted. Then as the child grows, they go to school. More gadgets and technology, their lessons are the ‘necessary’ subjects but what about the subject that makes up the whole world, the thing that has been there forever, the one that got us to where we are today, the one that helps us survive, the one that helps illnesses and in so many other ways. It’s not there. Yes, there’s obviously the science lessons which are great and some geography lessons. Some students are lucky enough to even have a one off ‘outdoor’ lesson but how is that enough. We all know it, not only in the UK but worldwide our wildlife is in serious decline, the environment is wilting away. Yet most young people have no idea of this whatsoever, so if they have no idea how are they supposed to put their voice forward, have an opinion. Not everyone can be a top notch campaigner and activist but everyone can understand what is going on, share their word and do what they can to reverse the devastating acts. From worldwide issues, writing to MEPs and supporting charities to knowing the truth about the persecution of British wildlife.
Obviously though, along with this, the children need to learn and experience how unique,engaging and relaxing it is being out in nature. Surrounded by trees and listening to bird song, realising that nature is the way forward. That they don’t need to be addicted to game consoles, mobile phones and laptops. That fresh air leads to a better quality of life.
But of course they’re losing this. If one generation does, then so is another and then another. I think technology is partly to blame for this, I wouldn’t say all gadgets are bad though. Of course not, it’s how they become addicted that’s bad. Other things include the worry that the world today is not a safe place and the worry that letting your child into a woodland area is a bad idea, they might injure themselves, get a bit muddy. Well, yes they might, but it’s experience. They become more determined to go back again and again. Many think it’s not convenient too. Sticking a laptop in front of their child is a lot easier then stepping out the front door and showing them what the worlds about, showing them how they grew up, their grandparents and so on.
I believe that something needs to be done about this. We need young children to engage and go out, enjoy their natural surroundings and learn what the world is about. Something a lot of children all round the world have the opportunity to engage with.
I walk home with my friends and see a snowdrop. Perhaps one of the most iconic and common Spring flower of them all, well that’s what I thought until my friend had no idea what it was. Yes, not knowing what a snowdrop is isn’t the end of the world. But if young people can’t identify simple things like snowdrops how are they supposed to identify wildlife crimes, persecution of endangered species, the decline of important habitats. To me that’s very worrying.
I believe one method to help reverse this cycle is by starting at the start. Getting nature onto the national curriculum. By this they’re engaging with wildlife from a young age and learning to understand the importance of it. Then with this they can grow with the interest. Be introduced to different species, go along to local groups and so on. All through my school years I’ve been classed as quite different and to be fair, alienated because of my interest and passion compared to others. No matter what my friends might be interested in or what other students think I will stick with what I love. It’s taken me a long time to come to that but I believe it’s the right way. Being targeted just because you’re not following the crowd isn’t the way to go. Not only with an interest for nature, but all interests, children shouldn’t target each other due to this.
A perfect vision for me would be , at the least, everyone realising how important nature is. Not just to them who are interested but for every single one of us, all ages.