Jose Helio de Souza (he/him)

About Jose's Community Action Project (CAP)

My Community Action Project focuses on promoting environmental awareness through the creative reuse of plastic bottles. The idea came from noticing how much plastic waste is generated in schools and local communities. This material often ends up in landfills or polluting the environment. Instead of being thrown away, plastic bottles can be transformed into useful and inspiring tools for learning.

In my project, students and community members collect plastic bottles and then work together to design and build new objects with them. For example, we have created planters for school gardens, decorative items for classrooms, and simple science models to explain ecological concepts. This hands-on approach allows participants not only to reduce waste but also to understand the importance of sustainability and creativity in solving environmental problems.

The project is designed to be inclusive and engaging, especially for young learners. It connects environmental education with real-life action, empowering participants to see themselves as changemakers in their own community. By turning waste into resources, we show that everyone can contribute to protecting the planet, even with small actions in daily life.

About Jose

Beyond my work as a teacher and researcher, I see myself as a lifelong learner who is passionate about building bridges between science and society. I have more than seventeen years of experience as a high school biology teacher, and I have also worked as a researcher in both science education and ethnobiology. These two fields allow me to combine classroom practice with the study of how different cultures understand and connect with nature.

In recent years, I have focused on climate change education, developing projects that encourage students to think critically about sustainability and to take practical action in their daily lives. I believe that empowering young people with knowledge and creativity is one of the most powerful ways to inspire environmental stewardship. I am also deeply committed to community engagement. Whether through school gardens, recycling initiatives, or collaborations with local organizations, I work to make education a tool for social and environmental transformation. I bring with me curiosity, resilience, and a strong desire to learn from others while sharing my own experiences.

More About Me

What is your favorite memory of being in nature? 
One of my favorite memories is my first visit to the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, where I felt deeply connected to the sounds, smells, and life around me.

What are three environmental values that you try to share with others? 
I try to share respect for biodiversity, responsibility in how we use resources, and the belief that small actions can lead to meaningful change.

What (or who) keeps you hopeful for the future?
Children keep me hopeful—they remind me every day that curiosity, creativity, and empathy can transform the world.