Primary School Eco-Days
14 March 2008
It is often very easy to be put off getting involved with environmental issues and making changes to ones lifestyle in order to benefit the planet. All of the information out there can make green action a confusing and mind-boggling affair with many of us coming to the conclusion that it's best to leave things the way they are for fear of making matters worse. This perception however could well be about to change in the Leamington area as children as young as 4 years old are enthusiastically getting stuck in to 'eco-subjects' such as reducing food packaging and plastic bag use.
With the aid of dedicated volunteers from Action 21, who have recently helped coordinate an “Eco-Day” at Milverton Primary School, we can see that whatever age we are, we can all take an active role in reducing our impact on the environment. Activities at this particular event have ranged from talks about using alternatives to plastic bags, creating artwork with an environmental message and “Dr. Bike”, a chance for pupils to have their bicycles serviced by volunteers at Action 21's bike workshop.
With the help of Action 21's volunteers it is likely that these types of events will happen more frequently at schools in the Leamington area. Kate Haines, from Action 21 and co-ordinator of the most recent Eco-Day at Milverton, has been surprised at how engaged younger people are with issues of recycling and reusing waste. She says “We tried to focus on the importance of reducing the amount of things that we buy before we consider how to recycle our waste, and I'm amazed at how well these ideas were received by the children”.
Doing simple activities in schools, such as the ones used at Milverton Primary School not only give younger children the opportunity to understand how important sustainable living is; it also demonstrates that they can show a great concern for our planet but with a keen passion for improving things through the decisions that they make in the future. The positivity that children and young people can bring to taking action on environmental issues sets an example that all of us can follow.