Margaret Goodman, a retired foreign affairs expert who is now in her 70s, has never forgotten the positive impact the Girl Scouts had on her life. “I loved it because I love the outdoors,” she said. “We hiked, and camped and canoed whenever we could. We were a bunch of kids who never got tired of playing outside, and I still haven’t.”
She developed her love and respect for nature largely as a result of her scouting experiences, and she believes that the values girls learn from scouting — especially caring about the fate of the planet — stay with them forever. Thus it came as no surprise to Goodman that scouts have begun to turn their attention to climate change, the most urgent crisis of our time, encouraging young girls to learn about the issue and take steps cut pollution. “The Scouts change regularly to reflect the times,” Goodman said. “After all, they were about girls being independent and adventurous back in 1912.”
The Girl Scouts’ activities are occurring against a backdrop of growing climate change activism among young people both here and abroad. Increasingly, teenagers and children — mindful it will be their generation left to cope with the most severe consequences of climate change — are taking to the streets and the halls of Congress to protest adults’ inaction.
On Capitol Hill, more than 100 young activists with the Sunrise Movement recently swarmed into the offices of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), calling upon him to support a Green New Deal and account for the money he receives from the fossil fuel industry. Democrats have been targeted too — Senator Dianne Feinstein (CA) also was confronted by a group of young climate activists in her San Francisco office, and later criticized for talking down to them after a video of her refusing to support the Green New Deal went viral.
Overseas, thousands of students in Europe and Australia have been walking out of classes to protest climate inaction during the past few months, calling upon their governments to declare a state of emergency on climate. Swedish teen Greta Thunberg’s earlier solo protest outside the Swedish Parliament inspired the mass walkouts.
Although the Girl Scouts’ climate activities are largely educational, the organization has long encouraged girls to get tackle issues that are important to them. Many scouting programs are designed to teach girls leadership skills and expose them to fields where women are underrepresented. The well-known cookie drive, for example, is meant to teach girls about business. Scouts are now learning about the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math, which include earth sciences and the environment, and by extension climate change.
“Girl Scouts also enables girls to address issues that they themselves are passionate about, so many Girl Scouts have taken action to address environmental topics through their projects,” said Jennifer Allebach, vice president of girl experience at Girls Scouts of the U.S.A. (GSUSA).
Most of that work is taking place on local and state levels, as scout troops and councils are free to focus on specific issues of their choosing. The Girl Scouts of Colorado, for example, created a program that enables girls to earn a climate change patch for participating in three climate change-related activities from a list of more than a dozen possible options.
Colorado scouts can visit a local scenic area, such as Rocky Mountain National Park, and find examples of things that will be affected by climate change. This might include visiting and documenting vulnerable park areas, or tracking and observing wildlife — such as the pika, a small rabbit-like mammal— that could be hurt by climate change. The scouts must document their findings through drawings, photos or by keeping a journal.
Other suggested activities including riding bikes or carpooling for at least two weeks to places where a parent usually drives, or talking to their schools about saving energy. Scouts also can assess their home energy use and cut back by changing lightbulbs or getting a programmable thermostat.
“There has been a huge movement in Girl Scouts to get girls more involved in STEM and the outdoors through Girl Scouts,” said Aimee Artzer, community partnerships manager for Girl Scouts of Colorado. “These topics certainly allow for girls to learn about the Earth, its climate and changes. We also teach girls how to become advocates and stand up for what they believe in — if that is regarding climate change, right on!”
The Colorado Girl Scouts program was initiated two years ago by Colorado Mom’s Know Best, a state group founded in 2012 to fight air pollution and climate change, and promote clean energy. “It goes back to be being a mom,” said “head mom” Jen Clanahan, a fourth generation Coloradan. “As parents, we do everything we can to protect our kids, and this is one of the ways – by having a clean climate and fighting carbon pollution so our kids have a bright future.”
Clanahan, who wrote the steps for earning the patch, said she tried to incorporate many different actions “so that girls from different geographic areas of the state, different skill levels and different ages would find it accessible,” she said. “It’s gotten a great response. It’s one of the most sought-after patches.”
In Virginia, the Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline have established requirements for a climate change patch for junior scouts, which include having them learn the definitions of weather, climate, climate change and global warming, and how they differ, as well as understanding the mission of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and why it earned the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
In California, which has always been ahead of the curve on climate change, San Francisco Girl Scouts organized a compact fluorescent lightbulb giveaway in 2009, distributing 5,000 free bulbs to raise awareness about energy conservation. Also, the Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast are now considering offering a climate patch and have approached Colorado officials about how to do it, Clanahan said.
Patches, which can originate on the national, local and state levels, are not the same as badges, which are established only by the national organization. Badges are awards that girls earn by building new skills and completing age-appropriate activities available for each level of scouts, from Kindergarten through the 12th grade. National badges represent approved official national Girl Scout programming. Patches are given to scouts for participating in local programs. Patches are worn on the back of vests or sashes, while badges are worn on the front.
“While GSUSA doesn’t currently have climate change-specific programs nationally, we do focus on environmental advocacy and stewardship in our programming,” Allebach said. “Since our programming is girl-led and enables girls to address issues they are passionate about, many Girl Scouts have taken action to address topics about the environment through their projects. Enjoying and taking care of our natural world is one of the cornerstones of the Girl Scout movement.”
Margaret Goodman is a living testament to the fact that the experiences of young people can profoundly affect the way they lead their lives. It was, in fact, a scouting experience that launched the trajectory of her career. The summer after she graduated from high school, she was one of six U.S. scouts representing the organization at an international conference in Switzerland. “I was a kid from a town of 5,000 in Wisconsin who had never even been on an airplane,” she recalled. “I came home, declared my major as international relations my first day of college and never looked back.”
Goodman went on to work for Congress and the Peace Corps, in addition to becoming a cross-country cyclist. She credits the Girl Scouts for putting her on her path. “Scouting can do that, which is why I applaud the Scouts for taking on climate change,” she said. “Exposure to these values while you are young, can make a huge difference.”
Marlene Cimons writes for Nexus Media, a syndicated newswire covering climate, energy, policy, art and culture.
Margaret Goodman, mtaalamu wa masuala ya kigeni aliyestaafu ambaye sasa ana umri wa miaka 70, hajasahau kamwe athari nzuri ambayo Wasichana Waskauti walikuwa nayo katika maisha yake. "Niliipenda kwa sababu napenda mazingira ya nje", akasema. <unk>Tulitembea, tukapiga kambi na kuteleza kwa mtumbwi kila tulipopata nafasi. """Tulikuwa kundi la watoto ambao hawakupata uchovu wa kucheza nje, na mimi bado sijapata. <unk> Aliendeleza upendo wake na heshima kwa asili kwa kiasi kikubwa kama matokeo ya uzoefu wake wa scouting, na anaamini kwamba thamani wasichana kujifunza kutoka scouting <unk> hasa kujali kuhusu hatima ya sayari <unk> kukaa nao milele." Kwa hivyo haishangazi kwa Goodman kwamba washauri wameanza kuelekeza umakini wao kwa mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa, mgogoro wa haraka zaidi wa wakati wetu, wakihimiza wasichana wadogo kujifunza juu ya suala hilo na kuchukua hatua kupunguza uchafuzi. "Scouts hubadilika mara kwa mara ili kutafakari nyakati", Goodman alisema. "Hata hivyo, ""msichana"" ni jina la kikundi cha wasichana wa kuvutia na wa kuvutia, ambao wanajulikana kwa sababu ya shughuli zao za kuvutia na kuvutia katika mazingira ya mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa na mazingira ya mazingira ya vijana." Vijana na watoto wanazidi kuongezeka, wakitambua kuwa kizazi chao ndicho kitakachobaki kukabiliana na matokeo mabaya zaidi ya mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa, wanaingia mitaani na kwenye majumba ya Bunge kupinga kutofanya kazi kwa watu wazima. Katika mkutano wa jimbo la Capitol Hill, wanaharakati zaidi ya 100 wa Sunrise Movement walimiminika katika ofisi ya kiongozi wa wengi wa Seneti Mitch McConnell, wakimsihi kuunga mkono mpango mpya wa kijani na kutoa akaunti ya pesa anazopokea kutoka kwa tasnia ya mafuta ya mafuta. Seneta wa Marekani Dianne Feinstein pia alishambuliwa na kikundi cha wanaharakati wa hali ya hewa katika ofisi yake ya San Francisco, na baadaye kukosolewa kwa kuzungumza nao baada ya video yake ya kukataa kuunga mkono mpango mpya wa kijani kuwa ya kawaida. Maelfu ya wanafunzi nchini Ulaya na Australia wamekuwa wakiondoka madarasa yao kwa maandamano dhidi ya hali ya hewa na kuitaka serikali zao kutangaza hali ya dharura. Maandamano ya mapema ya kijana wa Sweden Greta Thunberg nje ya Bunge la Sweden yalisababisha maandamano makubwa. Ingawa shughuli za hali ya hewa za Wasichana Scouts ni za kielimu, shirika hilo limekuwa likihimiza wasichana kushughulikia masuala muhimu kwao. Programu nyingi za ujasusi zimekusudiwa kuwafundisha wasichana ustadi wa uongozi na kuwafunua maeneo ambapo wanawake hawawakilishwa vya kutosha. Kwa mfano, sherehe inayojulikana sana ya kutengeneza biskuti inakusudiwa kuwafundisha wasichana kuhusu biashara. Scout sasa wanajifunza kuhusu nyanja za STEM za sayansi, teknolojia, uhandisi na hisabati, ambazo ni pamoja na sayansi ya dunia na mazingira, na kwa upanuzi mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa. "Girl Scouts pia inawawezesha wasichana kushughulikia masuala ambayo wao wenyewe ni shauku juu, hivyo wengi Girl Scouts wamechukua hatua ya kushughulikia mada ya mazingira kupitia miradi yao, ""alisema Jennifer Allebach, makamu wa rais wa uzoefu wa wasichana katika Girls Scouts ya USA (GSUSA)." Kazi hiyo inaendelea katika ngazi za mitaa na za serikali, kwani vikosi vya wapelelezi na halmashauri zina uhuru wa kuzingatia masuala maalum ya uchaguzi wao. Shirika la Girl Scouts la Colorado limetoa mpango wa kupewa wasichana wachache nafasi ya kushiriki katika shughuli tatu zinazohusiana na mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa kutoka orodha ya chaguzi zaidi ya kumi na mbili. Colorado Scouts inaweza kutembelea eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo la eneo. Hii inaweza kujumuisha kutembelea na kurekodi maeneo ya mbuga zilizo hatarini, au kufuatilia na kuchunguza wanyama wa porini - kama vile pika, mnyama mdogo anayefanana na sungura - ambaye anaweza kuharibiwa na mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa. Washauri lazima waandike matokeo yao kupitia michoro, picha au kwa kuweka jarida. "Kama ilivyoelezwa hapo juu, ""kuendesha baiskeli au kuendesha gari kwa angalau wiki mbili kwenda mahali ambapo mzazi kawaida huendesha gari au kuzungumza na shule zao juu ya kuokoa nishati.""" Scouts pia wanaweza kutathmini matumizi yao ya nishati ya nyumbani na kupunguza kwa kubadilisha bulbs mwanga au kupata thermostat programmable. "Kuna harakati kubwa katika Girl Scouts kupata wasichana zaidi kushiriki katika STEM na nje kupitia Girl Scouts, "alisema Aimee Artzer, meneja wa ushirikiano wa jamii kwa Girl Scouts ya Colorado. <unk>Mitu hii bila shaka inaruhusu wasichana kujifunza kuhusu Dunia, hali ya hewa yake na mabadiliko. "Mwanamke huyo pia anafundisha wasichana jinsi ya kuwa watetezi na kusimama kwa kile wanachoamini - ikiwa ni kuhusu mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa, haki juu! "" Programu ya Colorado Girl Scouts ilianzishwa miaka miwili iliyopita na Colorado Moms ""Kumbuka Bora,"" kikundi cha serikali kilichoanzishwa mnamo 2012 kupambana na uchafuzi wa hewa na mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa, na kukuza nishati safi." "Inarudi kuwa mama", alisema "mama mkuu" Jen Clanahan, kizazi cha nne Coloradan. "Kama wazazi, tunafanya kila tuwezalo kulinda watoto wetu, na hii ni moja ya njia za kuwa na hali ya hewa safi na kupambana na uchafuzi wa kaboni ili watoto wetu wawe na siku zijazo nzuri. ""Clanahan, ambaye aliandika hatua za kupata patch, alisema alijaribu kujumuisha hatua nyingi tofauti ili wasichana kutoka maeneo tofauti ya kijiografia ya jimbo, ngazi tofauti za ujuzi na umri tofauti wataipata." <unk>Ilipokea majibu mazuri. "Kama ilivyoelezwa hapo juu, ""Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline"" ni shirika la kimataifa la wasomi wa hali ya hewa ambalo linatoa mafunzo ya hali ya hewa, hali ya hewa, mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa na joto la dunia, pamoja na kuelezea kwa nini shirika hilo lilipata tuzo ya Nobel ya Amani." Katika mwaka wa 2009, katika mji wa San Francisco, Marekani, Shirika la Wasichana la Wasichana la San Francisco liliandaa sherehe ya kutoa balbu za umeme za fluorescent, na kusambaza balbu 5,000 za bure ili kuongeza ufahamu kuhusu kuhifadhi nishati. Pia, Girl Scouts ya California's Central Coast sasa ni kuzingatia kutoa patch hali ya hewa na wamekaribia Colorado maafisa kuhusu jinsi ya kufanya hivyo, Clanahan alisema. Patches, ambayo inaweza kutokea katika ngazi ya kitaifa, mitaa na serikali, si sawa na beji, ambayo ni kuanzishwa tu na shirika la kitaifa. Badges ni tuzo ambazo wasichana hupata kwa kujenga ujuzi mpya na kukamilisha shughuli zinazolingana na umri zinazopatikana kwa kila ngazi ya scouts, kutoka Kindergarten hadi darasa la 12. Nembo za kitaifa zinawakilisha programu rasmi ya kitaifa ya Girl Scout iliyokubaliwa. Vipande vinapewa wapelelezi kwa kushiriki katika programu za mahali hapo. Vipande vya alama huvaliwa nyuma ya mavazi au vifungo, huku beji zikiwa mbele. "Wakati GSUSA kwa sasa haina mipango maalum ya mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa kitaifa, tunazingatia utetezi wa mazingira na usimamizi katika programu zetu", Allebach alisema. <unk>Kwa kuwa programu yetu inaongozwa na wasichana na inawawezesha wasichana kushughulikia masuala wanayoipenda, Wasichana wengi wa Scout wamechukua hatua ya kushughulikia mada kuhusu mazingira kupitia miradi yao. "Kufurahia na kutunza mazingira ni moja ya misingi ya harakati ya Girl Scout, na Margaret Goodman ni ushahidi hai wa ukweli kwamba uzoefu wa vijana unaweza kuathiri sana njia yao ya kuongoza maisha yao.""" Kwa kweli, ilikuwa uzoefu wa ujasusi uliotangaza mwendo wa kazi yake. Mwaka wa mwaka wa mwaka wa 1960, baada ya kuhitimu kutoka shule ya sekondari, alikuwa mmoja wa wasomi sita wa Marekani waliowakilisha shirika hilo katika mkutano wa kimataifa huko Uswisi. "Nilikuwa mtoto kutoka mji wa watu 5,000 huko Wisconsin ambaye hakuwa amewahi hata kupanda ndege", alikumbuka. """Nilirudi nyumbani, nikatangaza kuwa ninafanya masomo ya mahusiano ya kimataifa siku yangu ya kwanza ya chuo kikuu na kamwe sikutazama nyuma."" Goodman aliendelea kufanya kazi kwa Bunge na Kikosi cha Amani, pamoja na kuwa mwanariadha wa baiskeli ya nchi nzima." Yeye huwaheshimu Wasichana Waskauti kwa kumweka kwenye njia yake. "Scouting inaweza kufanya hivyo, na ndiyo sababu ninawapongeza Scouts kwa kuchukua mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa", alisema. "Kujulikana na maadili haya wakati wewe ni kijana, unaweza kufanya tofauti kubwa. ""Marlene Cimons anaandika kwa Nexus Media, syndicated newswire kufunika hali ya hewa, nishati, sera, sanaa na utamaduni."