Energy awareness conference for children

Cardiff Council will hold its first energy awareness conference for primary schoolchildren on Tuesday October 20.

Two pupils and a member of staff from every primary in Cardiff have been invited and the day will consist of a number of activities highlighting energy awareness. Workshops will be aimed at engaging the children on a variety of topics connected to energy. These will include renewable technologies, saving energy, ecological footprints, recycling, sustainable transport, climate change, biodiversity, food growing and global citizenship.

A range of organisations will also be present on the day, including Techniquest, Dwr Cymru, Sustrans, RSPB, Oxfam Cymru and Groundworks. The children will also hear about changes to the eco-system in the Antarctic from a senior council officer who’s recently explored the area for charity and each will also get the chance to make their own “climate pledge”.

Lunch will have a “zero waste” theme and the pupils will be asked to bring their own food with minimal packaging. Recycling and composting facilities will be available.

Executive Member for Schools and Lifelong Learning Councillor Freda Salway said: “Cardiff Council is committed to making a 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2018 and funding of £1 million is being invested in our schools estate for this financial year. The scale of this investment shows just how high a priority the issue remains here. Education is an essential part of this climate change mission and I hope this event is the first of many more energy conferences to come for Cardiff’s younger generation.”