As the academic year draws to a close, our students’ passion for ecological protection remains unwavering—from Zero Waste Week to these final days of the term.
Cooperating with Shanghai Green Light-Year, SCIE was honored to host Mr. Djian Sadadou, International Relations & Communication Manager from the Office for Climate Education, who traveled all the way from Paris to engage in deep interaction with our students during the Shanghai Climate Week 2025.
Despite his long journey, Mr. Sadadou remained energetic while delivering an engaging lecture on “Rising Sea Levels” to all the G1 students. Through data models and interactive Q&A sessions, he transformed this abstract concept into tangible scientific insights.
After a quick lunch at the Hill Canteen, he joined students on a campus tour and was captivated by the lush greenery surrounding the campus.
Along the way, he discussed ecological topics with students, listened attentively to their self-organized research presentations, and offered thoughtful advice along with encouraging feedback.
During the afternoon workshop, Mr. Sadadou facilitated role-playing exercises, prompting students to step into diverse roles and perspectives.
Using “eco-anxiety” as a starting point, they delved into humanity’s interconnectedness with the environment.
During the final Q&A session, the dynamic exchange of ideas also helped students recognize that true environmental awareness must go beyond surface-level concerns – it should be rooted in scientific understanding and critical thinking.
The experience equipped students with a practical framework for ecological problem-solving, planting the seeds of “global citizenship” in their hearts.
This rare opportunity for close interaction has resonated strongly with our students. Below are some reflections from participating students:
Mr. Djian guided us from hard data on global carbon emissions to intimate stories from children's lives to illustrate a crucial truth: while all humans who have ever lived share responsibility for climate change, we do so to vastly unequal degrees.
Moreover, the devastating consequences of climate change most often fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable and least responsible communities.
After collectively acknowledging this injustice, Mr. Djian led activities to help us confront the negative emotions surrounding climate change—dread, hopelessness, and apathy.
Rather than leaving us overwhelmed, he offered constructive coping strategies: reconnecting with nature, practicing positive reappraisal, and developing trust in institutions.
These approaches, he explained, are more effective than denial, avoidance, or getting trapped in cycles of ineffective action and powerlessness.
Following the workshop, students engaged Mr. Djian with thought-provoking questions ranging from healing the public's broken empathy for climate action to debates about degrowth theory.
To my surprise—and delight—the workshop didn't conclude with the clichéd call for individual actions like 'don't take a plastic bag' that I had anticipated.
When I asked about this during the Q&A, Mr. Djian explained that the Office for Climate Education actively avoids prescriptive advocacy.
Instead, they focus on equipping students with accurate scientific knowledge and fostering skills like critical thinking, curiosity, and empathy—tools that empower systemic engagement.
As he spoke, it sounded increasingly familiar as I realized this is what SCIE's Global Citizenship Award program also strives for: skill building.
Ultimately, we came to realize relentless "reduce, reuse, recycle" advocacy may breed more frustration than progress; misdirected climate action can leave us feeling more powerless than empowered.
Ignoring the issue and doing nothing certainly isn't helpful. Perhaps the mark scheme mirrors our cherished AS exams—where "AS" stands for: Acquiring Skills & Accurate Science.
Hannah
I am currently a G1 student, and I am also the leader of an environmental project called “0Plastic4All”. My group and I engaged passionately in previous activities. We created two posters for Zero Waste Week.
One of them is a short introduction for our project and our progress, the other one is about our research results—focusing on plastic classification, and plastic-related policies in Shenzhen government and beverage shops.
When Mr.Djian came to visit our school, we presented these two posters to him. Mr.Djian was pleased to see our action.
More excitingly, we had a short discussion with him on the policies of plastic usage and teenagers’ possible actions on reducing plastic usage. We also participated in the school tour and the workshop with Mr.Djian, and felt fulfilled.
These activities were really meaningful for me. I not only learnt leadership and communication skills, but also exchanged ideas with a professional in the field of environmental protection.
I felt really grateful towards SCIE for hosting Mr.Djian, and holding so many activities. I also want to thank Mr. Roche and Ms. Angelien for helping my group prepare the presentation. I sincerely hope there will be more activities like this!
Our collaboration with the Office for Climate Education, UNESCO and Shanghai Green Light-Year as well as Mr Djian Sadadou has infused our campus sustainability efforts with global vision and scientific rigor.
Judy
We look forward to seeing our students transform their learning and experiences into real-world actions, and we believe the seeds of “global citizenship” have already taken root—and where knowledge and action unite, our future shines bright!
- Article / Hannah Xia, Judy Zhu, Sherry Lai
- Pictures / Admissions
