Go Zero To Be A Hero

Do you have specific Neighborhood(s) in mind?

East Elmhurst, Jamaica, Flushing

Which group(s) does your idea focus on? Select as many as apply.

Youth

Public Housing Residents

Limited English Speakers

Parents

Low Income People

Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color

Describe the challenge you want to address:

The world generates a staggering 400 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, only around 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled. According to the Schools and Sustainability Survey, only 4% of students agreed that they knew a lot about the environment, recycle, and sustainability. These low percentage numbers highlight the need for environmental education and the need to reduce plastic usage, starting in the boroughs of NYC and echoing the rest of the world. In our research, we have found that adapting a zero-waste, sustainable lifestyle, as opposed to recycling, ensures that as a collective, we can experience monumental change the lower global warming rates.

What is the solution to the challenge?

The Sustainability initiatives aim to foster environmental, social, and economic sustainability, ensuring resources are preserved for future generations while promoting long-term community well-being and responsible organizational practices. This project aims to empower children and their families with the knowledge, inspiration, and resources needed to actively participate in environmental conservation efforts. Teaching sustainability practices early on fosters a lifelong commitment to environmental responsibility. Through engaging activities centered around the children's book "Go Zero To Be a Hero," we strive to foster a generation of eco-conscious individuals committed to sustainable living. By the end of 2025, our goal is to donate 5,000 books by forging partnerships with learning centers and schools, expanding our contributions to sustainable education. By the end of 2025, our goal is to host and produce at least 300 in-person classes with elementary through high school ages to teach children the importance of sustainability and how the students can implement their learnings to their daily lives in the present and future. Children often become passionate advocates for environmental causes at home. This can influence family behavior and encourage sustainable practices within the community.

Please provide your Zip Code

11104