The topic of climate change has been rightly thrown into the spotlight recently, with the COP26 conference taking place in Glasgow. Thousands of world leaders and delegates met to discuss and agree on proactive solutions to protecting our increasingly fragile planet.
But what do kids have to say on the matter?
According to accredited UN climate change teacher, Emma Powell, pupils at her school said that they are “really concerned” about their futures.
Darlinghurst Academy in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, has received special recognition for its work on climate change, utilising monitors to test energy use.
As the BBC reports, the school has received a Green Flag – the highest award in the worldwide Eco-Schools initiative.
Ms Powell, who is also head of science at the school, said it is clear that pupils “want to act” on climate change. She teaches a unit entirely dedicated to climate change, where children are educated on what can be done to help protect the environment and prevent global warming.
Pupils also volunteer to litter-pick around and just outside of the school, before sorting items that can be recycled including soft plastics.
In October, two members from the eco-committee team took part in a parliamentary event for children, where around 600 pupils talked about COP26.
In order to be awarded a Green Flag, a school has to commit to steps such as limiting energy usage, enhancing biodiversity, and not using glitter in the classroom.
Ms Powell commented that her pupils “are really concerned about their future, about climate change, about pollution, about the damage that humans are causing to the environment.”
She stressed that it was her job “to make sure their voices are heard”, adding: “As a school we’re doing everything we can to make small changes to protect their future.”
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