6 Simple Ways that Parents Can Help Support Climate Action at School 

Parents have incredible influence in the sustainability efforts that are being pursued at their child’s school. Whether through small daily actions or larger advocacy efforts, parental involvement can help schools reduce their environmental impact and empower students in any grade to become climate leaders. Here are 6 simple ways parents can get involved. 

1. Pack a low-Waste Lunch 

Packing a litterless lunch is an easy first step to establishing sustainable habits in your child’s day-today routine. A few strategies that can help are:  

• Buying in bulk; avoid individually packages snacks
• Avoid single-use plastic, instead opting for reusable containers, beeswax paper, or reusable silicone bags
• Send your child with a reusable water bottle instead of a juice box or carton of milk
• Encourage your child to bring home leftovers for composting

2. Encourage Low-Carbon Transportation to and from School

If you live close to your child’s school, walking or biking is a great way to reduce emissions and build healthy habits. For longer commutes, consider carpooling with another family to cut down on traffic and fuel use. Even if daily changes aren’t feasible, participating in school initiatives like Bike to School Day is a simple way to get involved and support broader sustainability efforts. Every small step adds up!  

3. Bring Climate Literacy into the Home 

At The Gaia Project, we love books! Reading environmental stories with your child—or encouraging them to explore them independently—is a great way to spark curiosity about sustainability. While hands-on experiences like spending time in nature and practicing eco-friendly habits at home are invaluable, books offer a unique way to deepen understanding and inspire action. Introducing climate literacy at home not only supports school learning objectives but can also connect to classroom projects, reinforcing your child’s education in meaningful ways.

4. Advocate for Greener School Policies 

Speak up for sustainability in a way that makes it easy for schools to take action. Join a PTA meeting or connect with the school principal to share simple, achievable ideas. Could the school introduce a no-idling policy at pickup? Start a small composting or gardening program? Swap out classroom bulbs for energy-efficient lighting? Even small efforts—like volunteering to drop off collected batteries and e-waste—can make a big difference. Keep in mind teachers and educational staff often have their hands full, so come prepared with realistic solutions that are easy to implement. 

5. Engage with Teachers 

Your child’s teacher won’t know sustainability matters to your family unless you share your interest. A simple conversation or email can open the door to supporting eco-friendly initiatives in the classroom. Better yet, take it a step further—research grant opportunities that could fund real climate solutions or offer your time and skills to help bring a project to life. Let your child’s teacher know that you are on “team sustainability”!

6. Tell Your Child’s Teacher about The Gaia Project 

Did you know The Gaia Project works with about one-third of schools in New Brunswick? That means many teachers haven’t yet tapped into our team of climate education experts! From downloadable learning resources to hands-on classroom programs, we make it easy to bring sustainability into the curriculum. Our free K-12 programs, available in both French and English, help teachers build environmental awareness and empower students to take climate action. Let your child’s teacher know about us—we’re here to help!  

Author: Katelyn Plant, Marketing & Communications Manager, The Gaia Project 

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