As an earth scientist, Simon has long been aware of how the climate has changed in the past but it was around 2004 when he began to appreciate the scale of human induced climate change. In the end  it was his “love for the natural environment – to be in it, to explore it, to wonder about it” that was the catalyst for him to develop his unique teaching approach and ultimately pioneer plans for the school’s Urban Farm. The Farm provides an outdoor learning space which enables students to “actively participate in science and sustainable practice”. This not only builds students’ foundational skills, it also teaches them “to respect others, themselves as well as the environment” which Simon believes are essential “for both their own career opportunities and good citizenship”. The Urban Farm has been designed to also be used by other schools and environmental practitioners, ranging from primary schools right through to tertiary institutions. 

Simon’s path in setting up the Urban Farm has been a “creative, fun and rewarding process” and the Farm has enjoyed significant success. Simon does note though that they “have been through many ups and downs as we have negotiated changes in schools, staffing, educational policy, funding successes/failures and of course COVID-19” in this way it can be “easy to be discouraged”. Nevertheless “the idea is bang on the money: all people who come to see us, tell us this”. And so Simon hopes “the Farm will one day be self-sustaining and able to link to the community to build resilience in food supply, mental health and well being, and sustainable education – particularly how to live differently”. It is this way the Urban Farm could inspire other schools and communities to follow in its path. 

For Simon, goals are the No. 1 rule in human pedagogy (learning). So how does the Urban Farm link to the goal of Net-Zero? “The Farm actively works to lower our carbon footprint by lowering use of FF whenever we act. This is by direct action, for example – not burning rubbish, or indirect action – for example – trying to supply local food (rather than transport it in), or educating others about how to reduce their footprints”. However, for the Urban Farm to be linked to a Net-Zero target, Simon cautions the need for investment to provide explicit direction and action plans for Net-Zero  as ultimately “time and energy are huge issues for people”. 

To Simon a Net-Zero New Zealand presents the chance to “realize smart ways for doing anything – everything – so that people can live in greater balance with their living space.” He sees the biggest barrier to this is “changing mindsets” as naturally the public “are trying to just get ahead in their own lives, or just maintain what they have, and so can find it very hard to get their heads up to engage or act for change”. For Simon the solution to this is to create a “simple and deliberate road map for people to follow”. Simon also points to the area of plastics regulation as an example of how long change can take; although we have known for decades plastics harm the environment, banning them has required a clear plan, the latest phase of which was on October 1st. In response to this and other environmental challenges, Simon highlights “some old methods we used in society worked” so perhaps it’s time to revisit them.

To read more about the work of the Kaikorai Valley College’s Urban Farm click here or follow their facebook page.