In the 2020-2021 school year, the University of North Florida’s Environmental Center Leadership Program had students partnered with local community partners. This year, I was partnered with Beaches Go Green in Jacksonville, Florida. Beaches Go Greens’ mission was to inform the younger generation how to “go green” and practice core values of the 4R’s. The 4R’s are to refuse, reduce, reuse and recycle. The project that was implemented were videos advertising how to practice better habits to make Earth a cleaner place. These videos were around two-three minutes long. When creating these videos, modern and kid-friendly content was vital in incorporating information about topics on different environmental issues. One environmental issue that was brought to light was grocery store waste. This video educated students on different ways to refuse plastic packaging, shop zero waste, use reusable bags, and buy alternate products that can be recycled. Other videos that were created touched on issues contributing to textile waste, plant milk debacles, issues with meat processing, and the positive benefits of plants and flowers. Creating these videos has greatly improved knowledge among middle to high school students. They have increasingly gained interest and have joined many of the Beaches Go Green clubs around schools in Jacksonville. It’s allowed for the rising generation to take action on making the Earth a cleaner place.
