Introduction
Isabel Shiju is a high school student at NPS Indiranagar, Bangalore, and an advocate for sustainability education. She has authored “Sustainability For You”and represented youth voices on sustainability at the 1M1B Activate Impact Summit at the United Nations Headquarters in December 2023. Her work focuses on integrating sustainability into education systems and encouraging practical approaches to environmental awareness.
Background and Early Interests
Growing up in Bangalore, Isabel observed the environmental challenges faced by urban communities, including waste accumulation, water scarcity, and rising heatwaves. These observations shaped her belief that sustainability should be a foundational component of school education. She argues that while Indian curricula introduce concepts such as pollution, deforestation, and climate change, these lessons often remain theoretical, preparing students for examinations rather than real-world challenges.
Advocacy for Sustainability in Education
Isabel’s core argument is that sustainability education should move beyond memorization and become part of everyday school activities. She emphasizes activity-based learning, such as conducting water audits, biodiversity mapping, and waste management projects, which connect classroom knowledge with practical action.
She references global models, such as Italy’s decision to make sustainability compulsory in schools, Japan’s integration of recycling into daily routines, and Scandinavian countries’ outdoor-based learning systems. According to Isabel, these approaches demonstrate how sustainability education is most effective when it is habit-forming and experiential.
Initiatives and Contributions
Isabel has taken part in various initiatives to promote sustainable practices among students and communities.
The Sustainability Student Handbook – “Sustainability For You”:A resource written to connect classroom concepts with practical activities, offering step-by-step guidance on waste reduction, water conservation, and sustainable fashion.
Sustainable Fashion Advocacy: At the 1M1B UN Summit in 2023, she highlighted the environmental impact of fast fashion and called for more sustainable choices in the industry. She launched a petition for a Unified Sustainability Tag (UST) for clothes in India, which has received over 6,000 signatures.
Campaigns and Outreach: Isabelcontinues to run awareness programs, encouraging peers to adopt practices such as upcycling, energy monitoring, and tree planting.
Perspectives on Policy and Education Reform
Isabel supports reforms within the Indian education system, particularly within CBSE, to include sustainability as a cross-disciplinary theme. She suggests training teachers with appropriate resources, introducing project-based assessments, and encouraging community engagement through school initiatives.
Her stance is that sustainability is not only an environmental concern but also a platform to develop skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership. She believes that embedding sustainability into education will prepare students not only for careers but also for responsible citizenship in a climate-challenged world.
Conclusion
Isabel Shiju represents a growing voice among young students who are calling for systemic integration of sustainability into education. Through her writing, advocacy, and international representation, she highlights how practical sustainability education can equip future generations with the tools needed to address environmental challenges.
About Isabel Shiju
Isabel Shiju is a high school student at NPS Indiranagar, Bangalore, author of the student handbook “Sustainability For You”, and founder of Selfless.Network and GreenSenseAI
