Bringing climate action into the heart of learning - advice from a teacher

Edd Moore is an award-winning environmentalist, former eco-coordinator and primary school teacher. Here, he shares his top five tips for bringing climate action into the heart of learning.

Nature should be at the centre of children’s learning

It is important that children get outside, learning about nature but also learning from nature. Getting out into nature supports our mental health, and nature also brings so many ideas and suggestions, from natural remedies that make us feel better to cleaning products that make everything shine.

We can solve problems using biomimicry - an approach that looks at nature and natural processes to make our daily lives better and more sustainable. For example, children can investigate natural dyes and colours to make paints that do not have plastic as a base.

Children really enjoy using their observational skills and other senses to discover patterns and shapes in nature or distinctive noises from animals. Recognising and identifying what they see around them really helps children to have that connection with the outdoors and value our wonderful natural world.

Book cover 100 ideas for Greener Schools

100 Ideas for Primary Teachers

My new book, “100 Ideas for Primary Teachers - Greener School” was published in September 2025 by Bloomsbury, with a Foreword by Dr Jane Goodall DBE. The book will support teachers, trainee teachers, leadership teams and school staff to start their environmental journey or to carry it on towards Zero Carbon.

The book can also be adapted and used by secondary schools, Scouts, Girl Guides, community groups, youth groups and families at home. The “100 Ideas” are all tried and tested practical activities and projects that I have used in my teaching over the last 13 years, and which can be woven through subjects and a school’s curriculum.

The book is designed to give staff continuous support and guidance around how to teach climate change and sustainability, saving them time and energy.

Activities that can be adapted

100 Ideas for Primary Teachers is split up into ten environmental topics to support schools, including those following Foundation for Environmental Education, Eco Schools Green Flag.

These topics include:

School Grounds and Site
Biodiversity
Healthy Living
Waste
Transport
Energy
Global Citizenship

There is also an “essential” chapter listing six organisations that schools should sign up to before choosing to start on some of the 100 ideas in their classrooms and across the school. These organisations can give schools free support and guidance. For each idea, there are also “Bonus" and “Taking it Further Ideas” to help pupils lead the way and take their learning forward.

Some ideas can be achieved in a short space of time, and others are part of longer projects. Start small, take one activity at a time, and build on success.

Every school will operate within its context, facilities and budget. Even the smallest changes can be positive, and schools can use and adapt each of the 100 ideas depending on available resources.

Top five ideas for schools to get started

Map biodiversity in your school grounds to see what is living there and share the results with the school community on your website.
Improve biodiversity in your school grounds with some great practical ideas from The Wildlife Trusts.
Try starting a nature journal - recording what is growing and living in your school grounds using the correct names for trees and flowers. Become the experts.
Encourage more birds into your school grounds. Make bird boxes from recycled wood or pine cones to make bird feeders. Make seed bombs from recycled paper and wildflower seeds.
Build a collection of “mini” ponds to create your own wildlife area.

Ed is an award-winning environmentalist, former eco-coordinator and primary school teacher, who has been at the forefront of environmental and sustainability education for over a decade. He led a state Primary School in Dorset to many national and international eco awards. He was named one of 500 “Coronation Champions” and “Teacher of the Year, 2024” by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

Ed now works as Head of Education for the national Green School Project, leading the development and delivery of their Sustainability Educational Programmes, supporting teachers and students across the country. He also works as an environment education consultant (‘eco edd’) helping schools, multi-academy trusts, and organisations bring climate action into the heart of learning.