Last month, students from various Detroit schools met at Lincoln Street Art Park to talk about climate change. Kierra Pleasant, a senior at Cass Tech, shared her concerns: “Climate change affects us, especially now.”
These students took a proactive step by going door-to-door in the Grixdale neighborhood. They aimed to encourage residents to join a recycling program. That day, nearly 40 households signed up! This initiative is a part of Green Living Science’s mission to promote recycling and environmental responsibility.
Curtis Schabath, the director of education at Green Living Science, emphasized the importance of community involvement. “It’s all about protecting the environment and focusing on the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle.”
Green Living Science collaborates with over 70 schools in Detroit, offering workshops and field trips to teach kids about recycling and sustainability. This effort boosts the city’s recycling participation rate, which has risen to 43% over the past decade, thanks in part to the groundwork laid by Recycle Here!, a local drop-off facility.
Students learn not just facts about the environment but also how to take action in their communities. “Our biggest thing is education to action,” Schabath explains. Each year, many students take their learning home, making positive changes in their neighborhoods.
Detroit faces unique challenges with climate change. It’s one of the hottest urban areas and has high air pollution levels. Studies show children in the city are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. About 15% of children in Detroit have asthma, more than double the state average. This makes youth like Kierra feel the need to speak out about these issues.
Amya White, a student at University Prep Science and Math High School, pointed out a generational gap in understanding. “Older people often don’t see it as their problem,” she said, “but they breathe the same polluted air.”
Young people are pushing for change. Kierra is working to create a recycling club at her school. Similarly, Amya wants to enroll her school in a program that allows them to recycle paper and earn money for their activities.
“By getting involved, youth can spark change in their communities,” says Reign Winston, a Recycling Ambassador with Green Living Science. Their work helps educate Detroit residents about recycling and sustainability.
As Schabath notes, today’s youth have a wealth of information at their disposal and feel the impact of environmental issues. “They want to take action,” he says.
Green Living Science aims to expand its programs even further, fostering environmental awareness in more communities. Funding and support will be key to this growth. “We want to enhance our education initiatives, start more field trips, and expand our recycling programs in schools,” Schabath adds.
By working together, these students and organizations hope to build a cleaner, greener Detroit for future generations.
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Green Living Science, Recycle Here!, Recycling, Environment, Climate Change, Detroit, Schools, Education, Programming, Environmental Stewardship, Rising Temperatures, Community, Metro Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
