“That the Chief Executive provide an overview of the programmes of work for Climate Action and Environmental Awareness specifically in relation to primary and secondary school children.”

“That the Chief Executive provide an overview of the programs of work for Climate Action and Environmental Awareness specifically in relation to primary and secondary school children.”

The motion, in the name of Councillor JK. Onwumereh was proposed by JK. Onwumereh and seconded by Councillor. J. Newman

Response:

The Climate Awareness and the Environmental Awareness Sections of the Environment Department, roll out awareness programs for primary and secondary school students to educate and raise awareness around climate action and the environment. Examples of these programs include: -

1. Green Schools Program

The Green Schools Program is operated in partnership with An Taisce and Local Authorities. The Environmental Awareness Officer works closely with schools on the ground to help them achieve their flag status. 

136 schools across Fingal are active in the Green Schools Program. The 10-Flag program includes Litter and Waste, Energy, Water, Travel, Biodiversity and Global Citizenship. We facilitate assessments for the purpose of awarding flags. We also provide funding assistance and information to the schools and roll out several workshops themes every year to complement their efforts in achieving the Green Schools Flags.

2. Relove Fashion Workshops

Relove Fashion is a Sustainable Fashion competition open to young people of secondary school age across the Republic of Ireland. The competition was developed and is funded through a partnership between the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices, The Government of Ireland and the Rediscovery Centre, Ireland’s National Centre for the Circular Economy. Fingal County Council promotes the initiative in secondary schools and assists students with their competition entries, offering free workshops and prizes to participating students. These workshops are run by Circular Fashion Ireland and highlight the devastating impacts of the fashion industry on the Climate, the need for change and the recognition of young people’s pivotal role in shaping innovative solutions and are proving extremely popular.

3. Repaired Musical Instruments

The RePlay.ie initiative is an ongoing circular economy initiative by Fingal County Council. Musical instruments that have been discarded in the recycling centre’s are repaired and then circulated back into the community. Schools participate by receiving lots of instruments every year from guitars and keyboards to drums and fiddles.

4. School Composting Project

Fingal County Council funds schools to participate in the Composting for Schools Program. This in-depth program is suitable for both primary and post primary schools and helps support each school’s journey in managing litter, food and landscape waste and compost. It is a perfect program to compliment Green School projects, and in particular the litter and waste theme. Approximately 70 schools across Fingal have signed up to this project to date. Many schools were provided with wormeries for food waste and leaf-mould cages to compost leaves.

5. Picker Pals

Picker Pals is an excellent initiative where 1st and 2nd Class students of primary schools can sign up to receive a take-home pack full of activities to include fun story and activity books, songs, interactive tv sessions, litter picking equipment and teacher support materials all designed to encourage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11