UKSSN Weekly Newsletter – 8th Nov 2024

Something a little bit different this week from UKSSN Ops Group this week –

🎓 Learning from the Stoics 🎓

Stoic philosophers reflected extensively on the circle of control. Epictetus wrote:

“Some things are within our power, while others are not. Within our power are opinion, motivation, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever is of our own doing; not within our power are our body, our property, reputation, status, and, in a word, whatever is not of our own doing.”

Stoics generally agreed that within our control are our thoughts, emotions, reactions and actions. These are the things that we should focus our energy on and work to improve. The diagram below represents a more modern interpretation of our circle of control or ‘Circle of Influence’, adjusted for action on climate and biodiversity.

The central circle and represents the sphere in which we can effect change, can take meaningful action and make a positive difference.

😟 Circle of Concern 😟
There are many aspects of climate change and biodiversity loss that sadly I can’t control –

• The outcome of the US election and the impact that might ultimately have on our climate and biodiversity loss.
• COP16 in Cali and the failure of countries to agree on key issues such as nature funding and how this decade’s biodiversity targets would be monitored.
• The outcome of COP29 in November where nearly 200 countries will focus their efforts to increase funding for poor countries and slash emissions.
• The value of funding set aside for rebuilding and retrofitting the education estate for net zero.
• The outcome of the curriculum review and teaching climate action in schools.
• 2024 may be the first year on record to breach 1.5oc.

Whilst frustrating, I have faith that there are greater minds than mine working on these challenges and eventually we will achieve the right outcome. Other than staying up to date, don’t spend too much time in the circle of concern.

❤️‍🩹 Wellbeing tip: When anxiety or overwhelm creeps in, head outside for a short nature break. Clouds, leaves, birdsong, the breeze…even in the heart of the city, a nearby park’s grass and trees can provide a natural reset. I am terrible at ‘self-care’ but I recognise we need our health, resilience, energy and hope for climate action to succeed. (Thank you Thoughbox for your work on self-care, people-care and planet-care 💚)

🤔 Circle of Influence 🤔
We may or may not have the power to expand our influence to accelerate climate action, but we can certainly try. There is value spending some of our energy influencing others, bearing in mind that we can control our efforts in this sphere but not necessarily the impact. Here are a few ideas we have tried –

• Normalising climate action by regularly talking about it.
• Collaborating with partners to influence change – UKSSN, GAP, CAPE, Our Schools Our World, Thoughtbox, ISBL, ASCL, CST, the Science Hub, TTN, the DfE plus many more.
• Case studies, podcasts, webinars, online meetings, weekly emails…finding channels to share stories of success (as well as action that hasn’t worked so well).
• Using social media to amplify your voice.
• Writing regular articles for Ed Exec, ISBL, ASCL….places of influence.

Influencing colleagues, schools, Trusts and the wider sector to act is something we can all work at and I would encourage is included in everyone’s Climate Action Plan.

😇 Circle of Control 😇
Here is where we can spend lots of time and take meaningful action to effect change. I know I am in a privileged senior position to effect change, but everyone has the power to do something. There are lots of great resources to support taking meaningful action, below are just a few of my favourites (& there are lots more!) –

1. Giki
2. Let’s Go Zero
3. Education Nature Park
4. Learning through Landscapes
5. Sustainability Support for Education
6. Climate Ambassador Programme
7. Proveg
8. Eco-Schools
9. Green School Project
10. PECT
11. WWF
12. Zellar
13. Climate Friendly Schools
14. Value Match
15. Thoughtbox
16. FED
17. Climate Fresk
18. Carbon Literacy
19. CAPE Alliance

The question of what we can and cannot influence or control isn’t straightforward. I know I spend too much headspace worrying about what is obviously out of my control (I also recognise letting go of what I can’t control isn’t easy). The ancient Stoics knew it too. They considered the development of a Stoic mindset a lifetime pursuit. Yet practicing acceptance and letting go is definitely worth the effort….free up grey matter and energy and put it to work where it – and your Climate Action Plan – can have a positive impact instead. 💚

🎓 CPD: Sustainability Events 🎓
It is great to see an increase in regional and national events to support schools and Trusts transition to a less harmful operating model. We list and promote events on the website, here are just a few:

• Climate and Nature Action Events in Worcester (22nd November 2024) and Cambridgeshire (3rd February 2025)
• East of England Sustainability in Education Series in Bedfordshire (12th February 2025), Essex (26th March 2025) and Suffolk (tbc)
• ASCL Annual Sustainability Conference, Manchester – 5th June 2025
• North-West Sustainability Learning Conference – 26th June 2025

Plus…we have our regular Ops Group online network events, the next one being 21st November 2024 at 4pm where our focus will be on sustainable procurement.

If you are planning an event let us know and we will share with colleagues in the network.

⚡ Energy: Layer Up, Power Down – Friday 15th November⚡
Layer Up, Power Down

The annual Energy Sparks ‘Layer Up Power Down’ day is on Friday 15th November. Last year, on average participating schools saved around 35% on their gas consumption. Layer Up Power Down Day aims to remind staff and students of an important message: heat the person not the planet! Turn heating off or down on the Friday and keep it off all weekend (subject to frost protection settings). Currently almost 10% of school gas use happens at weekends! Energy Sparks provide everything you need on their activity page.

And finally…..
This week I leave you with the words of Dr. Jane Goodall –

“This time of uncertainty and adversity must be met with a heightened sense of resolve and determination to move forward and rely on the power we all have, to strive for solutions and progress for our communities and the environment we all depend upon.”

Have a great weekend,

Paul, Helen, Julie and Gemma

Smiling is infectious, you catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too. 
I walked around the corner, and someone saw me grin,
When he smiled, I realised, I had passed it on to him. 
I thought about the smile, and then realised its worth, 
A single smile like mine, could travel round the Earth. 
So if you feel a smile begin, don’t leave it undetected, 
Start an epidemic and get the world infected.