Happy Earth Day: Learning About Sustainability in EdOdyssey Destinations Year-Round

We love to explore this beautiful planet that we call home. It is imperative that future generations will be able to not only enjoy our earth’s wonders too, but also live without fear of uncertainty, knowing that their environment is both protected and thriving. 

Sustainability has become a more urgent topic than ever, and we’ve seen it being integrated into curricula in different ways. Our students—and all of us—can learn so much from the variety of related approaches, efforts, and initiatives being taken to both protect our planet and nurse it back to health in locations around the globe. 

Below, we dive into a few of the sustainability highlights across EdOdyssey destinations: 

Our neighbor to the north is home to some of the world’s most incredible natural environments, from the Rocky Mountains to the boreal forests. Students can explore conservation efforts to protect local wildlife habitats and learn about the country’s commitment to the management of sustainable resources. There are efforts in cities like Vancouver and Toronto to make use of rooftop spaces for farms and beehives, and community gardens are introducing green spaces back into spaces once dominated by concrete and bricks. There’s also an increased focus on urban agriculture through which an effort is being made to reduce food waste, and the farm-to-table movement is increasing in popularity. Many conservation efforts in Canada are led by Indigenous communities who have a deep connection to the land. Canada is the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the world, and is also focusing on wind and solar power. The government has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

With an incredibly diverse ecosystem—from the Atacama Desert to the glaciers of Patagonia—Chile is a wonderful and exciting destination in which to explore the environment. Students can learn about renewable energy projects, and the initiatives in place to preserve local biodiversity, including marine conservation and efforts in place for conserving endangered species like the Andean condor. There’s a renewed interest in tapping into deep-rooted Indigenous knowledge of the Mapuche people to work toward more sustainable farming practices where harmony with the land is coming back to the forefront. One of the main focuses is on empowering farmers with knowledge of regenerative agriculture techniques so they can work to restore soil health through crop rotation, minimal disturbances, and a limit to harmful pesticides. Agroforestry and deforestation prevention are also important here. Chile has invested heavily in solar energy infrastructure as well as wind energy and is aiming at ambitious targets for carbon neutrality by 2050. 

With a mix of ancient agricultural practices and modern environmental innovation, students heading to China can learn about initiatives like reforestation efforts as well as urban sustainability projects in cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Shenzhen and Hangzhou are also examples of cities adopting green architecture like green roofs, sustainable public transportation, and energy-efficient buildings. There’s a slow but growing shift toward more organic farming, and eco-conscious eating, especially in bigger cities. Tackling important issues like pollution with anti-smog campaigns is on the agenda, with younger generations becoming more mindful of sustainability practices and areas for improvement. China is the world’s largest producer of solar panels and leads the world in solar capacity with huge solar farms in places like Qinghai and Gansu. It’s also the world’s largest wind power market, and the largest producer of hydroelectric energy in the world. Geothermal energy and biomass are also being used and further explored as sustainable energy options. China aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. 

Think about Ireland and, outside of the cities, a lush green landscape will probably come to mind. This is a country deeply committed to sustainability with strong policies focused on renewable energy—especially wind energy. A growing movement means more organic farming, and an increased importance being given to the conservation of natural resources. Students can visit eco-friendly farms as well as see efforts to preserve the rich biodiversity of the country. There’s been a movement toward re-wilding, or restoring the land to its natural state so it can heal from overuse and so that its native species can be reintroduced. Farmers are reducing reliance on chemicals and raising livestock with more natural grazing opportunities. A farm-to-table approach is gaining interest too. Green tourism efforts have increased. There’s a ban on the disposal of certain materials in landfills, investment in electric vehicles, and efforts to protect endangered species like Atlantic salmon and the Irish hare. Ireland is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

This is the home of the Slow Food Movement, which started in Piedmont, Italy. There’s an emphasis on locally-grown, high-quality ingredients, and people are encouraged to buy food produced as closely to their own homes as possible. Students in Italy will have the opportunity to learn about sustainable farming in the Tuscan countryside, eco-conscious initiatives along the Mediterranean coast, and the ways in which traditional agricultural practices intersect with modern sustainability efforts. Italy is one of the top countries in Europe for organic farming and has one of the highest levels of solar energy capacity in Europe. Heavy investment has been made in wind energy, hydropower, and geothermal energy. Cities like Milan have implemented zero waste initiatives, and there are tax incentives for the people who opt for an electric vehicle. There’s also a movement to improve the fishing industry and introduce sustainability initiatives here, like the “Fish Revolution” campaign that helps customers support local sustainable fishers. Italy is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

“Being an island nation, Japan is very sustainability conscious when it comes to waste, and everyone takes part by diligently sorting their household trash,” our Japan-based Director of Program Operations, Sarah Reid, shared. “Fresh food is also a priority here, and it's very common to find that most meals are prepared from fresh ingredients—in local restaurants, public schools, and even take-out shops.” Japan is known for its minimalist ethos, and that extends to food sustainability, which is rooted in cultural values of resourcefulness and respect for nature that have been passed on through centuries. Students will find seasonal produce is popular, minimal waste efforts are in place, and farmers’ markets are in heavy use by locals. Japan is a global leader in solar energy production and makes heavy use of hydropower. There are efforts in the works to tap into offshore wind energy and geothermal energy too. They are also a leader in the development and adoption of electric vehicles, and Japan’s high-speed rail has played a role in reducing reliance on cars when traveling across the country. The government is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

We recently hosted a group of environmental journalism students for a month in Peru, and they were able to have a very rich experience here. “Peru is a global biodiversity hotspot, hosting 84 of the world’s 117 life zones, the second-largest portion of the Amazon rainforest, and diverse ecosystems like the Andean cloud forests and coastal marine reserves,” Luis García, our Peru Program Director pointed out. “A student interested in environmentalism or sustainability would find Peru ideal due to its cutting-edge conservation initiatives, such as the protection of Manu National Park, sustainable agroforestry projects in the Amazon, and Indigenous-led climate resilience efforts that blend traditional knowledge with modern sustainability practices.” Ecotourism is a key industry in Peru alongside eco-lodges, and community-based tourism. Peru is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Spain is a global leader in renewable energy, especially wind and solar power. This intersects with food sustainability, considering its use in agriculture—including solar-powered irrigation systems, for example. The use of renewable energy is encouraged in homes and public buildings. In fact, Spain aims to meet 74% of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030. Organic farms and a farm-to-table approach are commonly seen. Urban green spaces like Madrid’s Retiro Park and Barcelona’s Parc de la Ciutadella are great places for students to understand the value of preserving nature within city environments. There are also many conservation efforts in place, from the protection of national parks, to marine reserves, to endangered species like the Iberian Lynx. A national plastic waste law set out in 2021 has aimed to reduce plastic use by 50% by the end of 2025. Eco-tourism is becoming more popular in Spain too with the promotion of green tourism routes to preserve nature and many hotels embracing solar energy, locally sourced food, and water-saving techniques. The government has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Sustainability tends to be at the heart of urban planning as well as an important consideration in new architecture in the UK. Students can explore how cities like London (which became the world’s first National Park City in 2019 with over 3,000 parks and green spaces) focus on reducing their carbon footprint and improving green credentials. London has made significant investments in cycling infrastructure, public transportation, and an Ultra Low Emission Zone as well as zero-waste initiatives, renewable energy, and sustainable architecture as well as air quality and green planning. Other cities are following in their footsteps, and there are many areas of sustainability to study beyond London too. For example, students can learn about the efforts to protect endangered species in the Highlands of Scotland, financial incentives for farmers to adopt sustainability practices, and the HS2 high-speed rail project to connect major cities as an alternative to road and air travel. The UK is a global leader in offshore wind energy, is working toward more significant use of solar power, and was the first major economy to pass a law committing to net-zero emissions by 2050.

As a vast country, there are opportunities to learn about many aspects of sustainability that will differ depending on where you choose to travel. One great example for our students in the US comes from our First Year Experience program for Northeastern University’s Global Scholars in California. “Our excursion to Monterey Bay offers program participants the opportunity to learn firsthand about the importance of conservation efforts to protect the native wildlife in the bay,” EdOdyssey’s Program Operations Manager Katie Lorge said. “A highlight is the Whale Watching tour, which students often talk about extensively in their post-program evaluation.” Despite recent government actions, there are many state-level initiatives, private sector action, green innovations, and ordinary people who are doing their best that continue to provide some momentum for sustainability in the US.

If you’re interested in exploring these topics with your students through educational travel and experiential learning, reach out and ask us about some of the ways they can witness sustainability in action in each of our destinations, whether it’s the conservation efforts in the Peruvian Amazon, sustainable farming in Tuscany, or the development of green credentials in a major city like London or Madrid.