Brussels, 05/09/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is convinced that, in order to increase the EU's chances of fighting effectively against climate change, awareness of the problem of global warming must begin in schools. It has therefore decided to extend to schools the public awareness campaign launched on 29 May 2006 on the theme: “You control climate change” and to make a whole range of teaching tools and information material on climate change available to teachers and students throughout the EU when classes are resumed after the summer break in 2006. These attractive tools will be used for classroom activities, offering guidance, background information and interesting assignments to illustrate how individuals can play an important role in combating climate change. Pupils will be encouraged to make small but effective changes in their daily behaviour such as turning down the heating at home, switching off the television rather than leaving it on standby, recycling waste and walking more often. They are also invited to pledge that they will make a personal effort to combat climate change.
Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas comments in a press release: “Climate change is already happening. Today's children will be the generation most affected as it worsens, but they are also the ones whose actions will determine whether we eventually win the battle against climate change. It is essential that they grow up fully aware of what climate change will mean for society and of the measures each of us can take to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions causing it”.
The campaign's internet site (http: //http://www.climatechange.eu.com ) features a special section for teachers and students containing brochures, audio or video files (“podcasts”), a carbon calculator, downloads demonstrating how to improve the energy efficiency of computers, short films, useful links, contests and the opportunity to fill in the pledge on-line.