Feature
‘We have a planet to save’ NEU members joined the throngs of climate change protesters taking part in the Global Day of Action. WHILE many felt disappointed with the outcome of the United Nations COP26 conference, educators have vowed to keep the climate crisis on the agenda for the generations to come. Two primary school teachers took messages from their pupils to the day of action demonstration in Portsmouth on 6 November. NEU joint district secretaries Helen Reeder and Charlotte Lawrence had been discussing climate change and injustice with their year 4 classes as part of Climate Learning Month in the weeks before COP26. Wise words of an eight-year-old Charlotte told the crowd that she had 60 notes with “fantastic, insightful messages” from pupils to decision makers. Among those she read out was: If YOU help the environment it will be much better for US in this world. Charlotte told the crowd: “This eightyear-old Portsmouth child already sees that the climate injustice is set to affect her generation. And as her teacher, and on behalf of all educators within the NEU, today I send a promise to her that we will do our very best to end this injustice.” NEU president Daniel Kebede joined members and officers from the union’s northern region for a Global Day of Action
Protesters on the beach at Saltburn in North Yorkshire
demonstration in Newcastle. He called on the Government to act to deliver “a broad, quality climate education curriculum to enable our children to build a more sustainable future”. Fifty miles down the north east coast, other members joined a demonstration on the beach at Saltburn-by-the-Sea, where campaigners highlighted the links between climate change and the damage caused to the oceans and the environment. Co-ordinated by local organisations Mooga and The Cut Back, the event saw people carrying their messages on surfboards as well as banners and placards.
Messages from Portsmouth pupils to decision makers n There’s only one world. Please look after the planet and get rid of plastic. n Stop dumping rubbish in the ocean. n Do more walking instead of using cars. Use less electricity. Stop dropping litter.
Use less plastic. n Find out where the sources of pollution are coming from and stop them.
22
educate Your magazine from the National Education Union (NEU)
PHOTO by Salty Lamb Photography
In Wales, NEU member Maggie Morgan, who chairs the Cardiff Palestine Solidarity Campaign, took part in the city’s Global Day of Action demo where she highlighted the impact of climate change for Palestinians. “I spoke about the importance of international solidarity work at this moment in history, and about standing firmly on the right side of history, not just on the climate emergency but also on human rights and justice for Palestinians,” she said. The NEU balloon was a focal point for members taking part in the march through London, with branch members holding their banners high as they weaved their way to Trafalgar Square. Paul Atkin, convener of the NEU climate change network, who was among the crowds, expressed his disappointment at the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) sustainability and climate change strategy, which was unveiled at COP26.
