Johannesburg schools lead the charge for cleaner air as Earth Day approaches

As the world prepares to mark Earth Day (April 22), the Seriti Institute is leading a citywide campaign to promote environmental awareness and action in schools across Johannesburg.

Working with Breathe Cities, the City of Johannesburg and 33 community-based organisations, the initiative will take place across Regions A to G as part of the Breathe Better Together project.

Aligned with this year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” the programme will focus on air quality and practical steps to protect the environment.

Activities will be held during the school day, with each session lasting about two hours.

Participating learners will be involved in tree planting initiatives, recycling demonstrations, and insightful discussions on air pollution and its detrimental effects on health and communities.

Nokuthula Dubazane from Breathe Cities highlighted the local consequences of environmental problems, saying, "We most clearly observe the effects of environmental challenges like poor air quality within communities."

Dubazane added that schools play a critical role in shaping behavior.

“By reaching young people early, we are helping to build a generation that is more conscious of how their actions affect the environment,” she said.

Harmony Khoza, the community response manager at the Seriti Institute, expressed that the campaign aims to instill in young people a sense of responsibility for environmental issues.

"This Earth Day aims to empower young people to tackle the environmental problems they encounter daily," she stated.

Among the schools participating are Thabo Secondary School in Naledi, Emadlelweni Primary School in Dlamini, Iphutheng Primary School in Alexandra, Leap Science and Maths School in Diepsloot, and Noordgesig Secondary School.

IOL