Pupils in five schools across Gwynedd are currently busy taking school electricity readings as part of the Low Carbon Schools Scheme.
This scheme is part of Gwynedd Council’s Carbon Management Plan and aims to raise awareness in the County’s schools of simple and efficient ways to save energy.
Councillor Gareth Roberts, Gwynedd Council’s Senior Environmental Portfolio Leader said:
“These days there is an ever increasing pressure on individuals and organisations to act in ways that reduce their effect on climate change. By encouraging schools and other Council buildings to be more efficient in their energy use, the Council’s aim is to reach its ambitious target to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by 2014/15.
“As part of Wales’ Sustainability Week (14 – 21 May), pupils in schools across the county have been busy measuring their school’s energy usage. It brings a smile to my face seeing the children taking a lively interest in such an important field, they are an example to us all on ways we could act to try to reduce our Carbon Footprint.”
As part of the scheme, pupils will take an active role in leading the work of monitoring the school’s electricity and fuel usage and by creating lively campaigns as they try to encourage others to reduce the school’s Carbon Footprint.
The five schools taking part in the current pilot scheme are Ysgol Bronyfoel, Y Fron; Ysgol Cefn Coch, Penrhyndeudraeth; Ysgol y Garnedd, Bangor; Ysgol Llanrug and Ysgol O. M. Edwards, Llanuwchllyn.
Mared Elenid Jones, a 10 year old pupil at Ysgol O.M.Edwards, said:
“I really enjoy being an Energy Detective and I always remember that I need to read and record the school’s electricity readings every morning and afternoon.”
Cadi Haf Gaffey, a 10 year old pupil at Ysgol Cefn Coch, said that she also enjoyed taking the school’s electricity readings and going around the school to see if lights and computers are switched off and if doors and windows are closed:
She said: “I believe that doing this is important because the more energy we save the cleaner our world will be.”
In response to the scheme, Myfanwy and Cai, pupils at Ysgol Bronyfoel, said:
“We are really keen as Energy Detectives and we enjoy keeping our role a secret and monitoring to see if everyone are switching things off. It is a very important role and we enjoy helping our school to save energy and we hope, from now on, that much less carbon dioxide will be released into the environment by Ysgol Bronyfoel.”
The aim of the project is to educate pupils across the County about the importance of consuming energy sensibly and to demonstrate to everyone that every school can save a substantial percentage of their school’s energy usage (up to 10%) by making small changes.
“This scheme gives pupils an excellent opportunity to take an active part in reducing the school’s energy usage as well as campaigning to ensure that everyone throughout the school does their very best not to waste energy,” said Mrs Dilys Ellis-Jones, Headteacher at Ysgol O.M.Edwards.
Mr Rhys Glyn, Headteacher at Ysgol Cefn Coch added:
“This scheme gives pupils an excellent opportunity to take an active part in an attempt to save energy. For a long time now, pupils have heard so much about creating a low carbon school, but by taking part in this scheme they have an opportunity to be active and to contribute towards the campaign. It raises awareness of all the school children and consequently their parents. As a result this scheme will influence their ways of living in the future.”
Mrs Ann Gash, Deputy at Ysgol y Garnedd, said:
“The school is proud to be part of the Low Carbon Schools pilot scheme. Our Green Group are very enthusiastic as they go about their work around the school and they enjoy the new challenge trying to save the school’s energy usage.”
Around 30 primary schools will join this scheme in September and will start competing against each other to save the most energy. As children and young people in Gwynedd learn more about the importance of saving energy in order to save money and reduce their Carbon Footprint, we hope that important messages will spread to our homes and communities and eventually create a Low Carbon County.
If you wish to obtain more information about the Low Carbon Schools Scheme, please contact Marial Edwards from Gwynedd Council’s Energy Conservation Team on 01286 679266 or email [email protected]
