Getting Creative Outside

What are some ways we can all save energy? Turn off the lights, conserve water, turn down the heat, unplug our electronics, and head outside! As the days are getting warmer I find myself heading outside more and more to unplug and relax, taking in the beautiful sights and sounds on Cape Breton. One of my favourite things to do outside is to get creative! If you’re looking for something to do while you’re relaxing in the sun, with your sunglasses and sunscreen on, why not try using nature as a muse and create your ecological footprint pledge while you’re already outside shrinking your ecological footprint!

Grab a piece of paper, a pencil, something to colour with, and something hard to write or draw on then head outside. Take note of what your senses are telling you. Do you feel the wind? See the world glow with the sun? The smell of the water? These are some of the main things we use to generate renewable energy here in Nova Scotia! The earth provides us with these forces we can harness to generate electricity! Look around you again… do you see litter? Smoke from the tailpipe of a car? A light left on outside a house? These mostly come from non-renewable sources of energy also commonly found in NS. In fact today almost 60% of our energy is still generated through non-renewables. With these things in mind, think of ways you can shrink your ecological footprint at home and let your creative juices flow! 

If you’re not sure where to get started you can simply draw what you see! Think of these things as you create your masterpiece… Where does the sun touch the item you’re drawing? How many colours can you see? Could this be a home for an animal or bug? Your picture can reflect how you feel about your natural or unnatural surroundings by telling a story without using a single word at all! Don’t forget, once you’re done with your masterpiece that you can use the other side of the paper before you grab a new sheet! 

If you have any artwork you’d like to share with us you can always send us a message on our social media pages or contact us through our website www.greenschoolsns.ca

~ Genaya Fraser

Engagement Officer, Cape Breton