Pembrokeshire pupils have been debating the issue of climate change and how it might affect local communities.
Year 10 pupils from six County secondary schools attended a special climate change conference at County Hall recently.
They heard from a range of speakers including Jennifer Pride, Head of Climate Change Engagement at the Welsh Assembly Government, who talked about WAG’s climate change strategy and from Tim Brew of the West Wales Eco Centre, who reported on sea-level rises and the wider impacts of climate change already facing Pembrokeshire communities.
The pupils in turn described the likely effects of climate change on their local communities through a variety of media presentations and also put forward possible solutions to the climate change challenge.
Councillor Huw George, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said it had been a very worthwhile learning experience for the pupils.
“We all know that this is one of the most hotly debated issues facing us and future generations,” he said
“It’s important that our youngsters start to understand the issues and the challenges they pose.”
Rob Hillier, Pembrokeshire County Council’s 14-19 Adviser said the pupils had demonstrated a depth of understanding through balanced arguments based on observation, modelling and prediction.
“Their mature approach to problem solving was outstanding,” he said.
The pupils’ top 10 solutions to dealing with climate change were:
- Choose to buy local (seasonal) food to cut down on its carbon footprint
- Less talk and more action
- Layer up” and turn off radiators
- Widen use of master switches to switch off electrical appliances
- Purchase renewable energy
- More support from the local authority for schools’ recycling schemes
- Free bus passes for the Under 21s
- WAG to legislate on home insulation
- Widen the use of energy efficient bulbs and motion sensors
- Plant more trees in protected reserves to reduce our carbon footprint and to intercept rainfall to minimise flooding
