Life Skills

Activity Details

Time needed: 30 minutes

Materials needed:

• drawing utensils such as markers or pencils
• piece of poster paper or large sheet of paper

Setup:  In 2015, leaders around the world agreed to work together to accomplish 17 goals by 2030—these are referred to as the Global Goals for Sustainable Development, or SDGs for short. They focus on things like taking care of the environment, making sure all people have enough to eat, and improving people’s health. They’re big goals, but as Girl Scouts®, changing the world is something we know a thing or two about! 

The Girl Scout Global Action award calls for girls to address the Global Goals by discovering, connecting, and taking action in their communities and the world. In 2020, the award focuses on SDG 13: Climate Action.

Get ready to design and draw your own anti-climate change city!

Activity: Before you get started creating your city, think about the biggest environmental problems facing cities today, including the community you live in. What about air quality or pollution? Open space and parks for kids to play in? Make a list, and brainstorm other environmental issues. 

Now, imagine that you are an environmental engineer, and create a city that pays attention to climate change issues. You might want to include things like low-emission buildings or mass transit systems. 

Be sure to think about a variety of populations, such as those systematically denied access to decent housing, education, and air quality. What would your city do for those communities? Also think about the environment around your city—do you need to make a plan for coastal flooding, forest fires, or drought? 

Use your drawing utensils to design what your city would look like on paper.

Reflection: Now that you have taken the time to design a city which actively combats climate change, ask yourself these questions: 

• Was it difficult for you to design the city? Why or why not? 
• Did you learn anything new about climate change issues? 
• Did anything you discovered while doing this activity surprise you? 
• How can you use what you’ve done for this activity to take action for climate change in your own community? 

After you have considered these questions, share your design with your troop, friends, or family members, and encourage them to think about how they can take action for climate change too. 

Go even further! Take your ideas to your city planner’s office, and talk with them about ways they are making your community safer from climate change. If you are unable to meet with someone in person, you might reach out to see if you can set up a video or phone call. 

Girl Scouts at Home activities have been adapted from existing Girl Scout programming and optimized for use during virtual troop meetings or for Girl Scouts at home.

Adapted from the 2021 Global Action Award. You can buy the award today!