An Taisce’s latest programme development, Primary Climate Ambassadors, celebrated the second ever annual awards at Richmond Barracks in Dublin recently.
Minister of State, Ossian Smyth, congratulated all 22 primary schools from Dublin, Wicklow, Louth, Donegal, Roscommon, Offaly, Carlow, Cork, Clare, Sligo, Galway, Waterford, Tipperary, and Limerick; “I want to thank all of you here today for your dedication to Green-Schools, you are a shining example of leadership as Primary Climate Ambassadors for your community. I hope you are all immensely proud of what you have achieved.”. The pilot programme is funded by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications under the National Dialogue on Climate Action.
Exceptional Green-Schools who have achieved all ten Green Flags over the last 20 years were invited to participate in the pilot. Over 600 students representing 37 schools were trained in basic climate science, solutions, communications and action. Collectively, these students then completed 50 challenges central to climate literacy, mitigation and adaptation including Blooming Brilliant; Grow It Yourself, and the latest addition; I Like to Move It.
Grainne Ryan, Climate Action Manager said “this programme aims to consolidate the historic environmental work your Green-Schools have committed to. We want climate education to empower students and teachers, we wish everyone in Ireland felt the benefits of being closer to nature and we recognise your schools as places of inspiring climate action for the whole community.”
Once a climate challenge was completed, teams submitted a short online survey to assess what they learned, what actions they took and how they communicated these to the wider school, home and local communities. Emphasis was placed on creative climate action, via poster competitions, sculpture showcases and raps. The programme encourages Primary Climate Ambassadors to participate in outdoor classroom activities through building mini ponds, rainwater harvesting and composting food waste. Teams crafted a final video report to encourage the senior primary students to familiarize themselves with editing mixed media. An online leaderboard was also shared, where schools could earn additional carbon credits with each challenge completed.
The top three schools nationwide included 1st place was awarded to St. Brigid’s Girls’ National School, Palmerstown, Ms. Fiona Slaughter and The Green Beans.
