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Intergenerational Gardening

Intergenerational activities in the field of environment are vital! Not only for the climate, but also for the young and elderly, who have many benefits to share. 

Meet the Roots and Shoots toolkit for intergenerational gardening projects, a document based on a project led by Leicester Ageing Together in Leicester since 2015. 

This helpful guide shows the benefits of intergenerational gardening projects for the young and elderly that both need companionship and to feel understood. 

In that sense, having an intergenerational garden in the ward has numerous benefits, as it enables young and elderly people to learn new skills from each other and give a sense of purpose as it reduces the isolation of the elderly and provides support for young people who do not have grandparents available for them. 

To sum up, gardening is not only an ecological, economical and fun way to grow your own food and embellish green spaces, it also is very beneficial to fulfil both young and elderly people. 

To see more about intergenerational gardening, here is the full toolkit: https://www.gu.org/app/uploads/2022/06/Roots-and-Shoots_A-Brief-Toolkit-for-Intergenerational-Gardening-Projects.pdf 

Urban adaptation in Europe: what works? Implementing climate action in European cities

Good news!  

Almost all European cities are resorting to nature-based solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change. 

 A recent report of the European Environment Agency finds that 91% of local climate action plans include nature based solutions. Indeed, those solutions present a multitude of co-benefits including biodiversity gains, recreation potential and a positive mental well-being impact. 

Climate action is beneficial for a large amount of reasons, let’s continue to increase our involvement!  

See more about urban adaptation to climate change in Europe: https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/newsroom/news/cities-are-key-to-a-climate-resilient-europe 

intergenerational

Climate justice beyond intergenerational conflict: Do we fully understand youth climate activism and their claims for climate justice?  

“Climate justice” is an umbrella term that encompasses ethical principles for problems relating to inequalities caused by climate change (Shue 2014; Gardiner and Weisbach 2016; Gardiner 2017). For all its various definitions, the common denominator is disparities between responsibility for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the damage caused by global warming (Dietz and Garrelts 2014). The disparities are made manifest when seen through various lenses such as intergenerational inequality, historical responsibility, and critical climate justice. 

Intergenerational justice was the initial ethical idea that gave rise to the paradigm of climate justice (Taylor 2000; Shue 2014). The well-known Brundtland report, “Our Common Future”, catalyzed the institutionalization of the concept by defning sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland 1987).  

Please read more at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11625-023-01374-5

Is there any good news about climate change?

Yes, there is a lot of bad news around the climate crisis. 

But let’s talk about the victories, and why there is no argument for despair.

Please watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9p5VKd8VkE

Images of Change

Climate change affects our world more and more every day. Would you like to see this change for yourself?

From the unique vantage point in space, NASA collects critical long-term observations of our changing planet.

Glacial Outburst at Alaska's Desolation Lake
before desolation
Before
After

Discover more at: https://climate.nasa.gov/images-of-change?id=768#768-glacial-outburst-at-alaskas-desolation-lake

Climate change poses significant risks to children’s health and well-being

Approximately 1 billion children (nearly half of the world’s children) live in extremely high-risk countries.

Climate change is a direct threat to children’s well-being. In many countries, rising sea levels and temperatures are already putting stress on the ecosystem – affecting where people can safely live and grow food. And while children are the least responsible for the changing environment, they are likely to bear the greatest burden now and in future.

IPCC reports show that if levels of greenhouse gases continue to rise, global temperatures will also increase leading to more extreme weather events in many parts of the world. 

The UNICEF Children’s Climate Risk Index showed that we are crossing key boundaries in the Earth’s natural system, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing levels of pollution in the air, soil, water and oceans. As a result, the climate crisis is creating a child’s rights crisis. It is creating a water crisis, a health crisis, an education crisis, a protection crisis and a participation crisis.

Games are not (only) for children: intergenerational games for old and young people

Games are important for the development of children and are also beneficial for the elderly. Intergenerational interaction can promote better health and social engagement, as well as learning opportunities. 

By combining the concept of playful learning with intergenerational learning, it is possible to create spaces and activities that engage adults and children, providing enriching interactions and mutual benefits. These intergenerational games strengthen well-being, reduce social isolation, and create powerful community connections. This approach reinforces the importance of play throughout life and strengthens community resilience. 

Read the full article here: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/education-plus-development/2023/01/30/playful-learning-creates-multigenerational-opportunities-with-intergenerational-impacts/ 

But… What the heck are serious games?

But… What the heck are serious games? 🎮

Serious games are a genre that stands out for offering a narrative experience outside the context of conventional entertainment. These games are primarily intended to “gamify” the learning processes in a modern environment. They promote interaction and experiential learning, allowing players to develop a basic knowledge in various areas. 

One of the main advantages of serious games is the promotion of critical thinking and the ability to solve problems quickly and effectively. In addition, serious games allow players to explore virtual environments where they can learn, choose, and decide in a realistic way. 

Serious games offer an innovative and effective approach to education, using narrative and interactivity to promote learning. They encourage critical thinking, problem solving, and provide an engaging and adaptive learning experience. 

Read the full article here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369465829_Serious_Games_in_Digital_Gaming_A_Comprehensive_Review_of_Applications_Game_Engines_and_Advancements