campaign to encourage people to make a difference by changing their behaviour.
‘LEEFlet’ The Newsletter of the London Environmental Education Forum Autumn 2009
Energy and Climate Change Minister, Joan Ruddock, said; “The results show that people don’t realise that climate change is already underway and could have very severe consequences for their children’s lives. It also suggests people still aren’t sure what causes climate change. Our new Act on C02 adverts show how serious it is and that we can all do something about it.” “With over 40% of the UK’s C02 emissions a result of personal choices, there is huge potential for individual behaviour change to lower emissions, save money and put the UK in a stronger position going into the Copenhagen summit negotiations.”
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN Climate Change: Is there a happy ending? New campaign launched to fight climate change New research shows 52% don’t believe climate change will affect them. Research published today from the Department of Energy and Climate Change reveals that over 50% of people questioned don’t believe climate change will affect them and only 1 in 5 (18%) respondents think that climate change will take effect during their children’s lifetime. The results showed that a big motivator for people to take action on climate change is the knowledge that it will impact on the next generation. Three quarters of people (74%) said they would make changes to their lifestyle now if they knew climate change was going to affect their children. Recent research is shows the public are unclear on what causes climate change and what the effects are so in response the Government is today confronting the public with the reality and the consequences. The Government wants to educate people on the dangers of climate change and today launches its first ever direct public information announcement confirming the existence of climate change and its man-made origin. The advert features a father telling his daughter a story of ‘a very, very strange’ world with ‘horrible consequences’ for today’s children as part of the current Act on C02
The results showed; 74% of people would take immediate action to change their lifestyle now if they knew that climate change would affect their children’s lives 52% of people believe that their actions as an individual can help stop the effects climate change Those living in London are most concerned with the threat of climate change with 39% of people believing it will significantly affect their lives · Only a quarter (26%) of the public believe that climate change is already impacting on the UK Over 55yr olds are least concerned with climate change compared to the under 24 yr olds believing that the results of climate change have already begun Respondents cited flooding as one of the most common effects of climate change that will happen in the UK (69%) Residents in the Midlands most feared the risk of adverse weather conditions (73%) as result of climate change – recent Climate change projections showed that by 2080 rainfall on the wettest day of the year in the East Midlands could increase by 30% The new ‘bedtime’ story’ Act on C02 advert is on air. To view the advert use the following link; http:// www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/previe w/preview.aspx By The Department of Energy and Climate Change
Residential Centres Lambourne End Outdoor Centre Lambourne End Outdoor Centre (LEEF member) aims to provide high quality personal development experiences, primarily (but not exclusively) for people from east and north London, Essex and Hertfordshire which in turn will influence the development of their communities. The Centre is being developed to be a thriving inclusive resource which is particularly welcoming to young people. To find out more look on their website; www.lambourne-end.org.uk
Paddington Farm Trust Is a small charity which owns a beautiful 43 acre organic farm in Glastonbury, Somerset. They have been established for 20 years and have a mission to improve the quality of life and well-being for groups or individuals from urban areas by enabling access to the countryside. Accommodation is surrounded by miles of beautiful scenery and offers 43 acres of land to explore, with lovely views, including woodland, a sensory play garden and two apple orchards. The Farmhouse can accommodate groups of up to 20 visitors, in both dormitory accommodation and single bedrooms. The Longhouse consists of two twin rooms and one family unit that sleeps four. If you are interested in organised activities, the farm can provide environmental or outdoor education, such as animal feeding, Forest School and survival skills. To find out more look on their website; www.paddingtonfarm.co.uk
International Community School International Community School (LEEF member) offers its Bawdsey Field Studies Centre for £85 pp for three nights full board. “We are inviting Schools, colleges and universities to visit our newly launched Bawdsey Field studies Centre based in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the Suffolk Coast where the river Deben meets the sea. Staying at our centre you are free to explore the 150 acres of grounds that include part of a Red Crag Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a variety of different habitats. There is also the opportunity to study coastal processes at Bawdsey beach and to look at flood defences at nearby Felixstowe (a short ferry ride away). Bawdsey Estate offers schools and groups many opportunities for independent fieldwork at all levels to develop skills in data collection, handling and analysis for a variety of courses. We can offer full board accommodation for groups undertaking independent fieldwork projects or using the other facilities available at Bawdsey. For trips booked up until May 2010 prices are reduced. £85 pp for three nights full board for a minimum of 10 people (students and teachers). Please see our website for details of our location, ideas for field research projects, activities and information on our water sports centre or contact” www.bawdseyfieldstudies.co.uk
Kench Hill Kench Hill Centre (host of last LEEF residential) provides a relaxing, inspirational, residential environment in rural Kent for London’s learners - schools, community groups, families. First preference to residents of the London Borough of Hackney and non-Hackney groups when availability allows. Whether you are a teacher planning your school journey, a parent wanting to find out where your child will be staying or a group leader hoping to organise a visit, you will find all the information you need on the web site. To find out more visit: www.kenchhill.co.uk
Courses and Events Opening the Doorway to Sustainability: An online course for educators Schools and teachers have a vital role to play in ensuring the next generation have the skills and knowledge to make lifestyle choices that are sustainable. This philosophy underpins WWF’s One Planet Schools® programme. 'Opening the Doorway to Sustainability' is the popular, and highly regarded, professional development programme from WWF-UK, once again being run in 2010 by Sustainability and Environmental Education. Using the DCSF’s National Framework for Sustainable Schools as a starting point, this course offers an opportunity to explore how taking a sustainable schools approach can benefit pupils, teachers, the wider community and of course the health and wellbeing of the planet on which we all depend. Course participants will: explore different approaches to sustainable schools; identify and begin to develop key skills; practice reflection and action learning approaches to ensure new skills and knowledge are applied. At the end of the course, participants should feel equipped to take forward the sustainable schools agenda with confidence. How do I find out more? To find out more, please download the supporting course information by visiting the dedicated course website: seed.org.uk/onlinecourse2010. This online course is extremely popular among teachers, local authorities and sustainability practitioners alike, and participant numbers are limited. To request a registration pack, or obtain further information on this course, please contact Sustainability and Environmental Education (SEEd) on: Telephone: 07525 264540 Email: hermione.fricker@se-ed.org.uk Or visit: se-ed.org.uk/onlinecourse2010. For more information on WWF's One Planet Schools® Programme, visit: wwf.org.uk/oneplanetschools.
Facilitation Training Day Talk Action organises specialist training on climate change and community engagement, as well as managing green events across the U.K and Europe. They are running a training day this Friday. Friday 30th October 2009 - 10.00 – 16.00 Location: St.Ethelburga’s, 78 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AG. 'Very interesting event. Learnt a lot of great techniques' Helena Merriott (Westminster Council) 'Very engaging facilitator, a good example' Stephen Davis (Natural England) 'Superb!' Naomi Archer (Leeds Council) Contact Jonathan Elliott to book a place Email: jelliott@talkaction.org Website: www.talkaction.org Tel: 020 7324 4774 Talk Action
LSSF Event “Sustainable Schools and Sustainable Communities” 9.30am - 3pm, Wednesday, 2nd December ZSL London Zoo As always, please ensure that you register early to secure your place. We look forward to seeing you there! To ask for a registration form please email: sustainableschools@gol.gsi.gov.uk
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Partners Envision is seeking new partners Envision runs a number of programmes in schools and colleges across the UK to promote sustainable development, community engagement and active citizenship. We have recently received funding to offer our flagship programme for FREE to a small number of new partners in London. Our flagship programme is an extra-curricular programme which provides an opportunity for 16-19 year olds in schools and colleges to tackle various issues in their local community. After an interactive presentation at the beginning of the year, interested young people sign up to be part of an ‘Envision team’. With support from an Envision co-coordinator assigned to the school or college and an adult volunteer, recruited, trained and placed by Envision; this team then identifies issues they feel strongly about and during weekly meetings, build a project plan to tackle them. Teams use highly innovative ways to tackle a huge diversity of different issues ranging from street crime to climate change, from cultural understanding to homelessness. Throughout the programme, teams have the opportunity to attend Envision events where they can meet other Envision teams, gain a better knowledge of global and local issues and feel part of a much larger community; this promotes intergenerational links & community cohesion. After an academic year, the programme comes to an end and the team reflects on their experiences whilst also receiving an Envision award. Participants gain confidence, skills, awareness of a broad range of issues and most importantly by making a positive difference, the young people realise their own capability and become inspired to continue being beacons for others. Interested schools should contact Patrick Taylor, London Schools Coordinator: patrick@envision.org.uk. 020 7253 1677 www.envision.org.uk
LEEF Events OCTOBER LEEF Playing with W ater T hursday 29 th October 2009, Cost: £10 for LEEF members or £20 for nonmembers. How to use local ponds and streams? River dipping, wading and insect ID at Crane Park Island Join us at Crane Park Island for an introductory course for everyone who works with students around water. The London Wildlife Trust will be introducing their techniques and knowledge, on the wildlife in water and how to identify it. http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/Naturereserves/CraneParkIsl and/tabid/126/Default.aspx Host: Alex Robb London W ildlife Trust Email Anna to book your place or find out more; aportch@wildlondon.org.uk
NOVEMBER The Big Apple and LEEF Saturday 7 th Nov ember 2009 The low-carbon transatlantic conversation, EEAC of New York City and LEEF sit down to discuss environmental education in the city. Happening simultaneously in New York and King’s College London We are passionate about environmental education and we live in big English speaking cities. We face lots of the same challenges, can we share solutions without increasing the size of our carbon footprint? This is the event where we find out… Email Anna to book your place or find out more; aportch@wildlondon.org.uk
DECEMBER W inter LEEF Party at Hampstead Heath Please put the evening of Tuesday 1st December 2009 in your diary now. Details to follow soon.
Resources
Jobs
Moss Green Children's Books offer free vegetable colouring in sheets. The fruit and vegetable colouring sheets are now available at the web site and can be downloaded for free from: http://www.mossgreenchildrensbooks.co.uk/freecolouring-page/
Head of Education at W aste W atch
The colouring pages are for kids to have fun and learn: 1 Where a vegetable grows, 2 When to plant and when to harvest a vegetable, 3 What is in season and the concept of food miles, The designs have four levels of complexity. The simplest illustration should be suitable for the very young child and goes through to the older child. The age range is approximately from 3 years old to 8 years old depending on the child's motor skills. A widget of the young boy - (see the www.mossgreenchildrensbooks.co.uk website) can be placed on the schools gardening section of a web site. Technical expertise is not required to do the download. Moss Green Children's Books Tel: +44 (0)207 373 0945 info@mossgreenchildrensbooks.co.uk www.mossgreenchildrensbooks.co.uk
£35,000 - £39,000 London Waste Watch is an environmental charity working to change the way people use the world's natural resources. We advise, educate and support people to enable them to live sustainably, reduce their environmental impact and improve their quality of life. Are you passionate about the environment? Can you develop the potential of our educational programme? Your understanding of both the education sector and the sustainability agenda will enable you to take the lead in developing our education strategy and in project design. You will have the vision and leadership skills to inspire a highly motivated staff team. As a strategic thinker and an exceptional communicator, you will also be able to develop diverse partnerships across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Your creative flair coupled with your practical approach will enable you to spot funding opportunities and successfully to turn ideas into reality. For further details please see our website www.wastewatch.org.uk where you will find a full briefing and job description.
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Oasis Project Coordinator This is a unique opportunity to work with a wellestablished and respected local charity to help improve the well-being and life chances of children and young people in Stockwell and beyond. Oasis runs three main projects; a Children’s Nature Garden, a Karting Project and a Cycle, Adventure Playground and Young Peoples Project. Each of the projects provides unique opportunities for children and young people to play, learn new skills and knowledge and develop confidence and self esteem. Oasis Project Coordinator is a new senior core position that will involve working as part of a friendly and professional staff team. Candidates will need to demonstrate a passion for and understanding of young people’s rights and have the ability to work to their own initiative. Rate of Pay: £28, 179 JNC point 21 Closing date for applications: Wednesday 18th November 2009 6pm Interviews week beginning Monday 30th December 2009. To request an application pack please email: info@oasisplay.org.uk
Maternity Cover - Environmental and Enterprise at Hackney City Farm Project Manager, funded by the Tudor Trust. The post holder will develop social enterprise projects and run all projects associated with the greening of the Farm, co-ordinating and liaising with other members of Farm staff and volunteers to deliver the projects. This will involve working with the local community to set up carbon reduction initiatives, managing volunteers and setting up courses. It is a full-time position, £24,000 per annum. Look on their website for contact details and how to apply www.hackneycityfarm.co.uk
London Environmental Education Forum. c/o London Wildlife trust, Skyline House, 200 Union St, London, SE1 0LX. www.leef.org.uk aportch@wildlondon.org.uk
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