This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Lessons learned on climate change
10/06/2005
Children across Scotland are competing to win their
school its very own wind turbine in a national climate
change competition.
More than 70 Scottish schools have logged onto the
Learning and Teaching Scotland online climate change
project 'Our Changing Climate' which has also attracted two
international participants from Kuwait and the United
States.
Today, Environment Minister Ross Finnie, visited
Clydemuir Primary School in Clydebank who presented him
with their project work before quizzing him on his views on
climate change.
Speaking at the school, Mr Finnie said:
"Climate Change is happening now. It is a reality and
nobody can deny that we are starting to see the
effects.
"I am encouraged by the knowledge and enthusiasm of the
children I have met here today. They are tomorrow's
consumers and decision makers and their awareness in
tackling climate change will help to protect our planet in
the future.
"This primary seven class realise that their individual
actions can help in the fight against climate change. The
presentation was very impressive and they have constructed
some practical solutions to tackling climate change."
During the three-week project participating schools were
asked to prepare a report on an imaginary town which has
become more prone to flooding as a result of climate
change. The children (P7 to S2) involved had to explain
what was causing the problem and what the townspeople could
do to prepare and adapt.
The children of P7A at Clydemuir Primary presented their
work on the project to the Minister, and also asked him
some questions about his own views on climate change.
The winners of the competition aspect of the project
will be announced on the June 17. First prize for the
competition is a small scale wind turbine, which will be
installed on the roof of the winning school. The wind
turbine provides a saving of 1.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide a
year, and can provide up to almost £500 net financial
savings per year.
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) have agreed to donate
and install a Swift Rooftop Wind Energy System to the
winning school. The product was developed with Executive
support through the award of a SPUR grant. The SSE
partnership company, Renewable Devices Swift Turbines,
installed five of the systems at a school in Fife last
year.
The second prize will be a mini wind turbine and solar
panel for children to set up themselves, and the third
prize will be an 'Energy Chest' which allows children to
learn and experiment with energy and climate change related
materials. All schools that submit an entry will receive a
copy of the 'Earth from the Air' book of aerial photography
as a token of our appreciation for all the hard work put in
to the project.
Learning and Teaching Scotland is the national
organisation responsible for supporting educational
developments in Scottish schools. 'Our Changing Climate' is
one of a series of online, interactive events developed and
managed by LT Scotland for schools.