I am always struck when I visit local schools and meet young people now aware of green issues - our environment, recycling and the devastating consequences of climate change on our planet.
A recent survey highlights the tremendous desire for young people to prevent climate change. Most 16-24 year olds believe that climate change will impact on their lives in the next 50 years. They believe they should do something together and that communities working in partnership is vital to preventing the worst effects of climate change.
However, a third of all young people surveyed said they don't know how. I was therefore really pleased to hear about a new initiative called 'Climate Squad.' It aims to address serious issues in a fun, creative and engaging way. It is a movement for young people to belong to, a way to communicate concerns on climate change and a call to action.
An online community will engage young people in green issues and promote their views locally and nationally through social networking sites, blogging diaries, video diaries and writing press releases. Raising awareness in their local and online communities will include conducting light audits of public buildings and publicising the results to encourage local action and creating artwork to take to the UN Convention on Climate Change 2009. For more information go to www.climatesquad.org.uk
Green awareness in schools and more widely in Blaydon has been boosted by our success in reintroducing the once near extinct Red Kite into the wild. As everyone in Blaydon knows, the Red Kite has become the symbol on our buses, shops and schools of how we should be at one with our environment or we will all suffer.
Northern Kites is organising a high profile event to celebrate the Northern Kites Project from 10am on 20th June at Gateshead Quays with hundreds of people who have helped with the return of the region's highest profile wildlife species.
If you are a young person working to make a difference in your community and you would like to encourage other young people to get involved, or to know more about Northern Kites, please contact me.
| Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT |