A wide range of educational toolkits designed to encourage thoughtful reflection on ecological justice among students and young people aged 7 to 18 is available to download, courtesy of Ecojesuit’s Letters to the Earth Education Initiative, ahead of COP30 in Brazil this November.
Launched as one of the cornerstone projects of the “Jesuits for Climate Justice: Faith in Action at COP30” campaign, the initiative aims to empower young people whose futures are most threatened by the climate crisis through educational resources developed by the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat (SJES).
These age-appropriate workbooks engage children and young people in fun ecological activities, whether in the classroom, at home, or in other learning environments. The materials complement ongoing efforts in ecological education and Ignatian formation. The colourful workbooks introduce key ecological and theological concepts from Laudato Sí and Laudate Deum and include reflection questions, scripture-based meditations, and real-life case studies from Jesuit ministries worldwide.
For example, the “Little Guardians of Our Common Home” workbook tailored for children aged 7 to 10 encourages children to go outside to see, listen, and touch their surroundings and to journal their observations. QR codes link to videos where children can find answers to questions in the workbook. Activities include building a shelter for small birds or insects and a relay game that teaches waste segregation.
Ecological manuals especially designed for teachers are also available. Called “If the Earth Could Speak,” they include templates for classroom projects centred on climate justice, food sovereignty, and just transition. Their interdisciplinary approach integrates science, ethics, faith, and social studies and includes visual and audio prayer resources focused on agroecology and sustainability in Jesuit education. Topics include agroecological principles, food justice, community gardens, eco-literacy, soil restoration, agroforestry, water harvesting, sustainable food initiatives, composting, urban permaculture, biodiesel from waste oil, campus gardens, and food justice partnerships.
In addition, SJES has also designed printable Ignatian reflection cards highlighting ecological quotes from Pope Francis, Jesuits, and other spiritual and ecological leaders. Each card encourages small actions and provides discussion questions.
“We are actively developing ways to engage the entire apostolic body of the Society of Jesus and its partners,” says Ecojesuit. They encourage everyone to share their ecological initiatives, including personal letters, artwork, videos, pictures, and articles, by filling out their form.
“By connecting Jesuit works across continents and amplifying youth voices on this critical issue, we aim to inspire a global ecological conversion grounded in sustainability and justice.”
The Letters to the Earth Education Initiative marks the Jubilee of Hope and the 10th anniversaries of Laudato Sí and the Paris Agreement and is deeply rooted in the Third and Fourth Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAP) of the Society of Jesus—Journeying with Youth and Caring for Our Common Home.
To download the resources, click here.
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