An academic at the University of South Wales (USW) has published a children’s book to help young readers understand how plastic in the ocean affects sea creatures.
Dr Wendy Booth, Lecturer in Public Service Management, and Katie Derradji-Brown, an MA Education student, created Rambo and the Perils of Plastic, which tells the story of Rambo the octopus and the dangers his sea creature friends face due to plastic in the ocean.
Wendy and Katie are co-CEOs of Sustainability Sphere, which provides teaching resources for schools and home educators on sustainable development and global citizenship. The resources encourage ethical, informed citizens – one of the four purposes of the Curriculum for Wales – and their mission is to bring together their shared areas of expertise to develop a range of easily accessible resources, making them self-explanatory so that minimal planning and preparation is required by teachers.
Rambo and the Perils of Plastic was launched at USW’s Cardiff Campus, with speeches by representatives from the Wildlife Trust and National Poet of Wales, Hanan Issa, and audience members from local schools and environmental groups.
Wendy said: “Sustainable development covers a range of issues, and we want to be part of the legacy that aims to meet the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Katie, who has a degree in Educational Psychology and home schools her five children, added: “I’m passionate about sustainable development, especially climate change, water resources and plastic pollution. The main focus of my Masters dissertation is teaching about sustainability and the barriers that teachers face. Hopefully, this book will be just the start of breaking down those barriers.”
Rambo and the Perils of Plastic is available to buy from Sustainability Sphere or Amazon.
