Activity: Environmental Problem Tree!

Get into groups of around 4 people for this activity!

One of you will need a pen/pencil and paper. Now, sketch a big tree! You’ll need to include the branches, the trunk and the roots. Leave space for some clouds!

This activity is known as a Problem Tree. Start by writing the issue on the trunk (for this lesson, it could be biodiversity loss, litter in my local park, etc.). Now, think of the root causes of your chosen issue and form the roots of the tree. Once you have identified the causes of the issue, think about what the effects of the issue are (e.g. species may go extinct, wildlife are harmed by the litter in the area, etc.) – these are the branches of your tree. 

Now that you have a clear list of the causes and effects of the issue, fill the sky around your problem tree with clouds of solutions to tackle the root causes and ease the effects of the issue. These can be actions that you or your community could take to handle a local issue. 

This is a useful activity for mapping out a problem, understanding it and finding solutions for it!