Is pester power making Hebden Bridge parents climate-friendly?

Monday, 23 April 2007

Who knows most – a five-year-old or a 50-year-old? It seems that when it comes to understanding climate change, it’s the kids who know the score.

Children are learning so much about carbon-dioxide emissions, that they’re pestering parents to take action with simple things like turning off lights and electrical appliances.

Eight-year-olds Sheilla Whitlow and Matthew Orford quiz their teachers at Hebden Royd Primary School about climate change. Ready to learn are teacher Nicola Leese and to the right, Calderdale Climate Challenge schools advisor Heather Morgan

Hebden Bridge’s Heather Morgan, who is schools advisor for Calderdale Climate Challenge, has been impressed with how many schools are helping children learn about climate change. So far, she has given talks in more than 30 schools throughout Calderdale.

Children are so keen to take the message home that Calderdale Climate Challenge has designed a special schools leaflet to support Heather in her work, and to help children teach their parents a thing or two.

The leaflet includes a test for children to try out on the grown-ups, lots of facts about climate change and a competition to come up with suggestions for saving energy and cutting emission.

“Children are picking up such a lot of information at school and are fantastic at asking questions,” says Heather. “Now, they can take a leaflet home with them and turn the tables on their parents,”

Schools that would like to arrange a visit from Heather or get copies of the Calderdale Climate Challenge schools leaflet can

contact schools@calderdaleclimatechallenge.org.uk
or get more information at www.calderdaleclimatechallenge.org.uk.