The European Climate Pact in collaboration with South East Energy Agency, embarked on a school campaign in line with the Green Schools Climate Action Week; a student-led programme with involvement from the wider community.
The Green Schools programme is operated and coordinated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce (Foundation for Environmental Education member for Ireland), aimed at promoting long-term, whole-school action for the environment. This year, the Climate Action Week ran from the 14th of October to the 20th.
A visit to CBS Primary School Kilkenny and Monaseed National School, Co. Wexford, by the Ireland Climate Pact Country Coordinator, Edima Obaloluwa, and the SEEA Team, Pedro Dias (Energy Engineer), Syed Uraizi (Junior Energy Engineer), revealed that the school children were well aware of climate change and its impacts, and are ready to take actions. The SEEA Team further educated the pupils on renewable energy, the need to save energy and ways to do this.
The pupils were also encouraged to form groups, identify climate issues and possible solutions, document climate actions they intend to take individually or as a group. A ‘young mind’ expressed concerns about the carbon emissions from ‘fighter jets in Ireland’ and has decided to work on a solution to the problem.
Furthermore, pledges were made and pledge boards given to the participating classes to serve as a reminder for them to always do at least one thing to save the planet every day. Climate Pact Ambassadors, David Boles, Rhiannon Laubach, Kilian Woods, Dan Boyle (Cllr.), and David Gilroy (Cllr.), encouraged the pupils virtually to take the simplest of actions such as planting trees, taking shorter showers, walking to places with short distance, and much more.
Ambassadors’ Message: https://youtu.be/bl8BA4c34Jg
In conclusion, the Climate Pact’s engagement with primary schools is a crucial step in empowering the next generation to understand and address climate change. By fostering environmental awareness and encouraging proactive action at a young age, these initiatives are helping to cultivate a generation of informed, responsible citizens ready to lead the way in safeguarding our planet. As the children continue to learn and adopt sustainable practices, the future looks brighter, with a collective commitment to protecting the environment and combating climate change.
#EUClimatePact #MyWorldOurPlanet
