|
|
|
Author |
|
Message | |
|
Behemoth
Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 19023 Location: Leeds
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 05 8:26 am Post subject: Green Vanguard in our schools |
|
Defra Press release - for some reason I see a sort of Maoist cultural revolution with the untainted children tearing out inefficient boilers and denouncing their parents...
WICKS WANTS TO WIN HEARTS AND MINDS ENERGY MINISTER IMAGINES A GREEN VANGUARD IN OUR SCHOOLS
Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks believes that the UK's school children can act as a positive force for renewable energy.
His speech to the Greener Croydon conference on Monday 10 October will express how important he feels it is that young people understand the issues. He will say:
"The climate change challenge is not just about national or global targets, new initiatives or new technologies. It is also about winning hearts and minds, especially young hearts and young minds.
"Our schools and our children may become the most decisive force for change - a green vanguard urging their elders on.
"There is currently massive investment in new or improved school buildings. Energy efficiency is already a key part of that programme. But for each project we need to use our imagination.
"Imagine one day, every school with its own micro wind turbine and/or state of the art solar panelling. Imagine a clear display panel on such a school detailing how much carbon dioxide has been saved.
Imagine how the science teacher, or those teaching citizenship responsibilities, could use such technology in their teaching.
"Now, in some schools this is already a reality. For example, the Ashburton learning village in Croydon, which will bring renewable technology direct to school pupils and the wider community.
"And in London, St James the Great Primary School which has installed solar panels, plus the joint project between Spa Hill allotments and David Livingstone Primary School to erect a wind turbine later this month.
"Projects like these are not just helping us to tackle climate change. They provide visible evidence of the value of these technologies, give tangible proof that they do work and are a viable source of power."
As well as supporting community renewable projects for schools the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is embarking on a classroom based education initiative that will teach young people more about renewable energy and its role in helping to reduce carbon emissions.
The Minister will announce the 'it's only natural' education initiative in his speech. He will say:
"With the need to reach out to young people in mind the DTI has produced an education programme that will teach pupils about the role of renewable energy. Under the banner of 'It's only natural', classes in geography, science and a cross curricular programme for primary schools will give the next generation an opportunity to understand more about the importance of renewables."
-ends-
For more information contact David Meechan in the DTI Newsroom on 020 7215 5960 / 07815 208893
Notes to Editors:
- Malcolm Wicks will be speaking from 10am at the Greener Croydon conference, Fairfield Hall, Park Lane, Croydon
- 'It's only natural' education programme has lessons for primary school pupils aged 5-11 yrs; science lessons for students aged 11 to 16 and geography lessons for 11-18 year olds. There will also be a website that is due to go live at the end of November which has further information on renewable energy and from where the packs can be downloaded.
- Beaumont Primary School, Hadleigh, Suffolk, community project case study -
- The Government's vision for 2020 is for much more diverse, local energy generation and a strategy is currently being developed for the promotion of these technologies to help them realise their potential. (consultation at https://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/consultations/microgen.pdf ) The consultation is now closed and will report in April 2006.
- The sector has already benefited from the DTI's �31m investment to fund solar PV installations through the major PV Demonstration Programme - Ashburton Learning Village received a grant in the latest funding round - and a further �12.5m for small-scale renewables of all types through the Clear Skies Initiative. This capital grant support will be continued through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, which takes over from the other schemes next year.
Department of Trade and Industry
7th Floor
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET
Public Enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215 6740
(for those with hearing impairment)
https://www.dti.gov.uk |
|
|
|
|
Lozzie
Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 2595
|
|
|
|
|
|
Archive
Powered by php-BB © 2001, 2005 php-BB Group Style by marsjupiter.com, released under GNU (GNU/GPL) license.
|