Environment Winners

Bethune Environmental Action Team

Winner – Environment

The Bethune Environmental Action Team is a formidable environmental force that is spreading the message of green beyond its school. 

The club at Dr. Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute was started by three committed students in 2002; today there are more than 100 members led by a 16-member executive.

Most members join in Grade 9 and stay involved until they graduate. Jessica Vuong is one of those students. Now in Grade 12, she’s one of the two community outreach representatives on the executive.

She first heard about the team, known as BEAT, through a visit to her elementary school. 

“When it comes down to it, I find it amazing that there is a group of high school students who say we have to have respect for everything around us,” she said.

 Through the leadership of BEAT, the school has significantly reduced its impact on the environment.

Bethune students produce the lowest waste on average per person of all schools in the Toronto District School Board as students and staff actively work to recycle as much as possible and use less.  

BEAT has created an extensive recycling centre.

The school has also reduced its electricity and water usage. New this year the team held a Water Week event. 

“We dedicated a whole week to raising awareness about global water rights,” Jessica said.

Students were asked to take a pledge to drink only tap water for two weeks and the money saved from not buying other beverages was donated to a water project. About $450 was raised. 

This year it has also launched an anti-idling initiative with the erection of a sign in the front driveway. Students take turns as the “energy police,” handing out tickets explaining the harmful effects of idling.

Now most parents turn off their cars without being asked.  The work the school has done earned it gold EcoSchool status (a program that certifies schools based on high environmental practices and education standards) and this year it was one of just two high schools to receive the new platinum level certification. 

“It’s also making a difference in the world, even if it’s confined to this school,” said Julie Zhu, who joined BEAT in Grade 9. 

Thanks to BEAT’s outreach component the difference it is helping to make isn’t just confined to Bethune.

Members would go to local feeder schools and spread environmental awareness to younger students. This also helped to bolster its membership numbers as many Grade 9 students come to the school familiar with BEAT.

Four years ago, the outreach component was formalized with a three-visit approach created to help other schools obtain EcoSchool certification. Students have worked with Terry Fox Public School, Wexford Collegiate Institute and Macklin Public School. 

On the first visit BEAT members give an introduction on how to start an enviro-club and host a general discussion about environmental issues; on the second visit the Bethune students talk about how to achieve EcoSchools certification; on the third visit the elementary students visit Bethune to see the butterfly garden, display case and other areas where the environmental club has made a difference.  

“It’s a lot of fun because they are so enthusiastic...They’re absorbing everything you tell them,” Jessica said of working with the younger students. 

It was through a visit to his school that Jordan Han became aware of BEAT and developed an interest in the environment. 

“I was inspired in elementary school,” said the Grade 12 student.

He joined BEAT in Grade 9 and became a member of the executive this year. BEAT has been recognized for the work it does by the Green Toronto Awards and the provincial government’s Speak Up program. 

“It feels like people are paying attention to the fact that students are trying to make a change...Maybe it can encourage others to follow in our footsteps,” Julie said.

– Danielle Milley