POLLUTION & ECO-EDUCATION

MEET THE EXPERT

Linda Hansen is Director, South Plainfield Library

Puja: Please tell us about yourself

Hansen:

My name is Linda Hansen and I am the director of the South Plainfield Public Library. I’ve worked at the library for 25 years and have held just about every position there! I’ve done everything from vacuuming the floor to overseeing operations of the entire library.

Puja: Why is it important to spread awareness about pollution? How can libraries help to raise environment consciousness?

Hansen:

The state of the environment is crucial to every living being on this planet, so we each have an obligation to do our part to help ensure that future generations have clean and healthy conditions in which to thrive. While I that think people have probably always had some vague awareness of the importance of taking care of the earth, it didn’t really come to the forefront of public consciousness until around 50 years ago. There is still, of course, a lot of work to be done to help raise awareness of this issue, and I think places like public libraries (which tend to function as the center of most communities) are a great way to reach people. Libraries not only offer people access to information on any given topic, but people tend to trust the information that their libraries provide. We also can set a good example by doing things like offering separate receptacles for recycling materials, using window shades to help keep the building cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and turning off the lights when rooms are not in use. One of the best things that we can do is to host programs like EcoCamp that encourages kids to take an interest in their environment and to get them to understand that even small choices can have big consequences.

Puja: Can Enviroment awareness initiatives like EcoCamp promote enviromental science and advocacy? How?

Hansen:

Awareness initiatives like Ecocamp are one of the best ways to promote environmental science and advocacy because programs like EcoCamp encourage children to become aware of the importance of preserving the environment. If children are taught concepts like “reuse – reduce – recycle” from an early age it will become a natural part of their behaviour to make conscious choices that benefit the environment. I can remember a time in my childhood when we didn’t separate out our recyclables – everything just went into the trash. Now I couldn’t imagine just throwing an aluminium or glass container into garbage because we’ve been in the habit of recycling for so long that you automatically separate paper, plastic, glass aluminium etc. If kids are consistently taught that their actions matter and every choice that they make can have an impact on our environment, then they will eventually start to think along those lines. These kids will eventually grow into adults who have power and who are responsible for making sure that the planet is in good condition to sustain future generations.

Puja: What are the ways kids can help the environment?

Hansen:

There are many things that kids can do to help the environment, and I think they are in the position to actually make the largest impact in the long term since it seems that each generation learns a little bit more about “thinking globally while acting locally”. Getting in the habit of turning off the lights when you leave a room, shopping with reusable canvas bags, or making sure to throw your trash in the appropriate receptacle may not seem like much, but all of these small choices will eventually lead to big change. Kids can lead by example, and encourage their peers (as well as the adults in their life!) to be responsible citizens of the world and to treat our planet with care.

Puja: Thank you so much for your time!!