MCFly asked Raichael Locke, of Manchester Environment Education Network, to write about some of the work MEEN is doing.

Since May Manchester Environmental Education Network (MEEN) has been working alongside Manchester’s schools helping them to develop a greater understanding of Climate Change. The aim of the programme is to help all of us, adults and young people, learn more about Climate Change, save greenhouse gases, energy and money, whilst helping secure a future for the planet.

The project began with research asking young people what they already knew about the issue. Just under half of the participants had heard of Climate Change, a good number, considering the sample included a number of very young pupils.

However, extreme weather and the hole in the ozone layer were cited as causes, with only 6% of the total mentioning that certain gases in the atmosphere were trapping heat. (By removing the pupils who represent the lower age range this does however, rise to 12%). It’s also fair to say that many of the teachers from the Primary schools were not very confident in their understanding of Climate Change and were keen to explore the agenda.

This research helped inform the programme to focus on the basic science and the need to generate action, particularly with young people who want the opportunity to have a positive impact on the world. It also seemed important that, for the programme to have relevance, it should link to other school programmes such as Eco Schools and Switch-Off Fortnight. With the help of Manchester’s Energy Management Unit, it was exciting to evidence that during Switch-Off Fortnight Old Moat Primary saved 6% on their electricity bills whilst Haveley Hey Primary managed to save a huge 15%.

Heald Place Primary and Armitage Primary schools also showed their support for the project by helping design the logo for the programme which is a beautiful champions’ trophy, coloured to look like the Earth, with the Sun being held in the cup.

As a key part of the programme MEEN has been delivering Climate Change Champion training. In November this was run with support from pupils from Armitage Primary. Two pupils gave a presentation on their work as energy monitors who, day in and day out, visit each classroom and record what electrical items have been left on and give the classes points according to their performance with the winning class being awarded each week.

MEEN has also visited numerous Eco Committees and School Councils and, when requested, delivered in-school staff training. (See the picture of staff at St Wifrid’s Primary re-creating a diagram illustrating the basic science of Climate Change.) The aim is also to facilitate peer learning by encouraging Eco Committees to visit other schools to share their activities, and to generate links between schools and businesses who are both working on the Climate Change agenda, the aim being that they can share good practice and support each others’ learning.

Many of Manchester’s communities have little knowledge of ‘Manchester: a Certain Future,’ which is the City’s pledge to reduce our Carbon Footprint. This programme aims to get people excited and active around this key objective and, with schools generating some 35% of the City Council’s CO2, they have a huge opportunity to help and the knowledge and experience to make it a fun and informative journey.

For more information about becoming a Climate Change Champion, whether you are a young person, parent, business or interested individual, please contact Raichael Lock at MEEN on 0161 273 8881, 07505 172 335 or email coordinator@meen.org.uk. The current phase of the programme will run until the end of March.