Green campuses remind us that a better tomorrow begins with the small, thoughtful steps we take today: Kavita Kerawalla of VIBGYOR Group of Schools

Step into a school surrounded by trees and open green spaces, and something changes instantly. The air feels lighter, the sunshine softer, and the atmosphere calmer. These are not just design choices. They are quiet reminders of how nature shapes the way we think, feel, and live. A green campus is more than a backdrop for learning. It becomes a living lesson that shows children sustainability is not a distant idea but a way of life woven into their daily experiences.

Research continues to prove what many of us instinctively know. Students surrounded by greenery feel calmer and perform better both academically and socially. One study found that regular contact with campus green spaces reduces depression, anxiety, and stress among students. The effect grows stronger when these spaces are easy to access. Another review of 42 studies concluded that natural environments improve children’s focus and help ease stress. The message is clear: nature does not just nurture, it supports learning and well-being in powerful ways. When children see the natural world integrated into their school life, they are reminded daily that care for the environment is also care for themselves.

What makes a green campus truly impactful is the way sustainability is part of everyday life. Rainwater harvesting systems, solar panels, vegetable gardens, compost pits, and waste segregation areas are more than facilities. They are teaching tools. Some schools have gone further by setting up charging stations for electric school vans, showing that sustainability extends beyond the classroom to the way children travel each day. Lessons in conservation, renewable energy, and mindful use of resources are absorbed naturally when children see these practices in action. Often, what they observe leaves a deeper impression than any textbook lesson.

The impact of green campuses goes beyond knowledge, as it gradually shapes children’s values. When young learners grow up in eco-conscious environments, they are more likely to carry sustainable habits into adulthood. For example, a study has reported that early exposure to sustainable practices is associated with later habits such as reduced energy use and choosing sustainable products. These links show how experiences in school influence patterns of behaviour long after students graduate. Children begin to understand that their choices matter. They matter not only for themselves but also for their families, communities, and the planet as a whole.

Green campuses also nurture responsibility and empathy. Activities like planting trees, tending gardens, or joining a campus clean-up make students feel part of something bigger. They begin to see that even small actions, such as turning off lights, carrying reusable bottles, or caring for a sapling, have real consequences. These experiences encourage children to think beyond their own needs and consider the well-being of others and the environment.

Equally important is the sense of community that grows in such spaces. Recycling drives, gardening clubs, and zero-waste events bring students together with a shared purpose. They learn to collaborate, listen, and care for their surroundings. This spirit of cooperation extends beyond environmental activities and helps them develop social skills that serve them throughout life. In the process, friendships are built around shared values, and students experience the satisfaction of working towards a common goal. Sustainability, then, becomes not just about protecting nature but also about building a culture of care, respect, and togetherness.

Over time, the effect of these practices is lasting. Children raised in green campuses are not only more aware of environmental challenges but also more resilient in how they respond. They understand that global issues such as climate change are not solved overnight, but they are encouraged by the knowledge that collective small actions can add up to significant change. They learn that sustainable living does not depend on grand or dramatic gestures. It thrives on small, thoughtful choices made every day — switching to renewable energy, reducing waste, or reusing materials. These habits shape how they build their lives, how they connect with communities, and how they make decisions as adults.

Perhaps the most valuable lesson of all is this: sustainability is not a distant goal waiting for future generations to achieve. It is something that can and must be lived today. Each tree-lined path, each energy-efficient classroom, and each act of mindful care reinforces the idea that a balanced relationship with nature is possible. When children grow up surrounded by these examples, they see proof that sustainable living is practical and attainable. They carry with them not just awareness but belief — the belief that their choices matter and that they have the power to create positive change.

In the end, a campus is more than a place of study. It is where values take root, habits are shaped, and hope for a sustainable future begins. The change may start quietly with a walk under a shady tree or a morning assembly in a green courtyard. But its ripple effects last a lifetime. Green campuses remind us that a better tomorrow begins with the small, thoughtful steps we take today.