As we move forward into the twenty first century we are hearing more and more the damage that man is making on the earth. Single use plastics, burning waste and littering is out of control and we all know we can do more to make a small impact. Education is the main key to success here. I propose a education program starting with the first year children attend school and continuing all the way through their education. Things like planting a time capsule of varying trash at the beginning of the school year and then digging it up at the end and observing what decomposition has taken place bring the point home to young minds. Heavier fines and stiffer penalties are needed as a deterrent, I touched on this in my section on “Reducing the burden on the Courts”, we need a dedicated litter police that can give an on the spot fine for even dropping a sweetie wrapper (had this been in place in the school yard a lot of trouble may have been averted).

One of the examples of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result, I find this to be the case with our education system. Teachers need to be encouraged to teach in anyway they can so as to reach the students, standing up in front of a class full of pupils and regurgitating facts and figures sharpen a young mind as much as hitting a chisel with a hammer does. Dynamic and fun teaching methods must be employed so as to engage the classroom. I would very much like to see more education being done on healthy eating and exercise as this would help in the long run cut our medical bills.

by Bruce Slater