Spring has arrived and the general election is drawing nearer but how much power do Wales’s youngsters have over the future of their country? When it comes to looking after the planet, must we rely on politicians to make changes or can one person make a difference? Environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy recently asked young people to try to answer that question at an event organised by its Eco-Schools programme. To celebrate ten years of devolution in Wales, pupils from 17 secondary schools (from ten local authorities across Wales) attended the Youth Eco-Forum at Siambr Hywel, the National Assembly for Wales’s Youth Debating Chamber, in Cardiff Bay.
The focus for the day was to look at the positive environmental achievements that have been made by individuals and countries across the world over the last ten years. The Eco-Forum also looked forward over the next decade to ascertain where Wales should be heading and what should be achieved for the benefit of Planet Earth by 2020. Pupils were asked to think of ten things that could be done to contribute to a cleaner, safer and tider Wales. Those put forward were:
1. All new buildings to be eco friendly and have a renewable energy source
2. All schools to have at least one renewable energy source
3. All schools to provide "waste free" lunches
4. Improve and increase the cycling network around Wales
5. Provide more alternatives to petrol/diesel cars
6. Decrease the level of litter and enforce more litter related penalties
7. Improve transport links and bring down travel fares
8. Increase funding for green technology
9. Aim to become a Waste Free Wales
10. Develop Eco Communities focused around schools
Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive Lesley Jones welcomed pupils to the voting chamber and introduced the day’s activities which included workshops on how to protect the planet, a tour of the Senedd and presentations by environmental representatives from different countries. Jane Davidson AM, Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing, was guest speaker and questions were put to her on matters ranging from Fairtrade products to improved sustainability in Wales.
Following a day of debate, pupils were given the opportunity to vote on whether they thought they could make a difference to protecting the enviroment. A resounding 98% agreed that this was possible which is evidence that the young people had learned more about their own personal responsibility and the power they have to have to protect the planet. New chief executive Lesley Jones is delighted with the result.
"The questions to the Minister and imaginative ideas from the young people were inspiring and gives us all some real challenges to aspire to."