Climate Change Awareness Day
On the 24th October, 2009, 181 countries across the world took part in over 5,200 events worldwide to draw attention to the issue of climate change as the days drew nearer to the Copenhagen Conference, and Northumbria’s School of Applied Sciences was part of it. |
Geography and Environmental Management (GEMs) staff and students hosted a Climate Awareness day for children at Ouseburn farm. Kye Askins, Mike Jefferies and Jon Swords encouraged students to design games, provide scientific “tests” of personal carbon foot-printing and collect pledges for future change in personal consumption. The day was received warmly by the children, and adults, who attended the three hour session. Students, dressed as penguins, provided much focused humour and multiple photo opportunities.
The event was part of 350.org, which is an international campaign which aims to increase awareness of climate change and look at where we are now and where we should be. Scientists say that 350 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere is the safe limit for humanity … at the moment we are at 387.
Kye Askins emphasised the value of such activities as important learning opportunities for students, linking this to a broader responsibility of the University to engage with ‘the real world’: “In GEMs, we research, learn and teach about environmental and social justice issues, which are central to the climate change debate… it is incumbent on us to take what we know beyond the university and engage local people in not only the debates but also the actions we can all take to address the issues”.
For more information about studying Applied Sciences at Northumbria visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/enquiries
Date posted: February 18, 2010
