Developing Behavioural Change -
The EarthCARE Way

There is ample evidence that we are consuming resources and depleting our natural resources faster than they can be replenished. There is widespread recognition that we are living unsustainably and that we need to accelerate the change in our habit patterns.

EarthCARE offers the unique opportunity for a school to be a catalyst accelerating that change and creating meaningful opportunities for our school communities to be leaders in this transformation. Young people's enthusiasm and energy, mixed with the knowledge, wisdom and guidance of teachers, custodians and administrators, make a powerful combination in the development of a comprehensive program for environmental stewardship. EarthCARE focuses on creating a school environment that inspires behavioural change and provides opportunities for all key stakeholders to engage in the development and implementation of the EarthCARE program in their board.

How Behavioural Change Comes About

The process for affecting behavioural change has to be multifaceted and must involve many stakeholders.

• Develop a call to action which is compelling, inspiring and engaging
• Work closely with the early adopters to support their efforts, celebrate their achievements and involve them as coaches to the cohort who are later adopters
• Provide every opportunity for student involvement in all aspects of the program from training, to promotion, to monitoring and evaluation to partnership development
• Develop a partnership model that looks beyond school walls to involve school councils and leading stakeholders from the community
• Develop a communications campaign that celebrates action, achievement and engagement
• Develop an incentive system in partnership with key stakeholders that is customized to their needs

Visit the EarthCARE Components section to see how various components of the EarthCARE program align with these processes.