By Sarah Fagan
Thousands of New Zealand students have been working on their environmental consciences by taking action against climate change with UNICEF.
From Craighead Diocesan School in Timaru to James Cook High School in Auckland, over 4,000 kids took part in New Zealand’s Climate Change Day of Action on Thursday September 22, which coincided with World Car Free Day.
Masterton Primary School succeeded in organising a walking school bus, filling up their bike racks and almost emptying their car park, all in efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Year 9 students from James Cook High School raised awareness by making presentations about the importance of combating the reality of climate change to their school. The school managed to decrease the number who drove to school by almost 40 percent, something the students hope will continue.
James Cook High School, along with other schools, was inspired by a UNICEF Pacific video on young people making an influence.
A student from Kiribati, Iaoniman Kambati, explained how the drinking water from their wells had become salty because of rising sea levels.
“As young people who will be leaders of tomorrow, we’re not just sitting around doing nothing,” he said. “We’re trying to do something about this issue.”
Iaoniman and other students from the islands are challenging the global community to stop negotiating and actually do something about the issue, because the effects of climate change are threatening their homes and futures.
At Havelock North High School, many teachers played their part by biking to school.
English teacher Simon Murfitt said everyone can make a difference, and one of the most effective ways is how we travel to school every day.
“We can dramatically reduce our carbon emissions through this simple act, whilst being able to keep active at the same time,” he said.
Instead of being driven to school every day, students promoted walking, cycling, taking the bus and even car-pooling.
A ‘wear blue to support UNICEF’ mufti day was organised to raise funds to provide water pumps for climate affected communities.
The day of action supported Moving Planet, a global event where over 175 countries rallied to put the world’s demands for climate action into motion – by calling for the world to go beyond fossil fuels.
Sarah Fagan is working with UNICEF as part of the 3Youth project, an upcoming section of the 3 News website focusing on social issues and written by young people.
source: newshub archive
