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From left: Grassroots’ girls, Miriam Skrentny (13), Flora Belic Ford (13), Charlotte McLean (13), Angelia Potamides (12), Paddi Benson (16) and Mimi Hope (13) |
Kids go back to basics in tackling climate change
‘Grassroots’ calls for appreciation of the issues, not scaremongering
ENVIRONMENTAL scaremongering is not the way to save the world, insist students at one Camden school.
The Grassroots course at Camden School for Girls is an environmental project set up by Year 12 pupil Paddi Benson aimed at raising awareness about global warming, focusing on eco-appreciation rather than doom-saying.
Frustrated by the attitude of the national press towards the green issues that have come to dominate the headlines in recent months, Miss Benson took over a PSHE (personal, social and health education) discussion period for Year 8 to pilot the scheme.
“I’ve always been interested in the environment,” said the Kentish Town student.
“It’s something we’ve really got to deal with now, particularly my generation, since we’re the ones who will have to deal with it in the future.
“The newspapers talk about ‘The Final Warning’, but it shouldn’t be about scaring us into doing something. Muslim and Christian religions both teach that we are stewards of this planet and we must appreciate it. Appreciation, not fear, is the key.”
Last month Miss Benson, 16, gave a presentation to the 12-year-old pupils to highlight the topics, and was surprised to find her audience knew the arguments already.
“I found they knew a lot more than I thought – they could have done the presentation without me,” she said.
Encouraged, she split the hundred-strong year into four groups: minimising waste, food, travel and water. Each group was given fact sheets divided into “Did you know? / So what?” and delegated speakers to represent their respective topics.
Miss Benson said: “The project’s title – Grassroots – is because we’re dealing with something at its end, at its roots (the environment) but it’s also the beginning of something new, a new approach. The grass is a symbol of growth, because there is always a cycle of renewal.”
The speakers will deliver a final presentation to the whole school next Monday (June 11) and will be rewarded with ‘green’ prizes from the Body Shop, for which Miss Benson raised funds by selling copies of her Irish music group (in which she plays flute) Meitheal Cheoil.
And her endeavours do not stop there. On the strength of her environmental project, Miss Benson has been selected for a three-week conservation project on South Africa with leading global financial services firm JP Morgan.
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