Green Matters
Sustaining an interest
Over 100 teachers and pupils flocked to Hackney City Farm, E2, to take part in green workshops.
The day was hosted by Hackney Environmental Education Network (HEEN), a group of individuals and organisations involved in education for sustainable development in Hackney.
The event on 9 June was also a celebration of green activity in schools and a chance for everyone to share their experiences.
St John the Baptist School told of the measures its pupils have taken to turn green; Colvestone School spoke about its outdoor classroom; Skinners’
Company’s School for Girls brought a sustainability game they created; and St Paul’s with St Michael’s CE School shared news of their composting scheme.
Attendees had the chance to join in lively workshops to get hints and ideas about how to make their school more sustainable.
Katherine Hayward from ecoACTIVE, who was at the event, said: “There is a great deal of good work going on in Hackney’s schools to make them greener, and students are ahead of the game when it comes to looking after the environment, but there is always more to do.”
The HEEN event was linked to The Year of Food and Farming – supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – an initiative that aims to promote healthy living by offering young people experience of the countryside, farming and food.
More information
Teachers in Hackney can download a Sustainable Schools Toolkit full of green ideas from its supporter The Learning Trust at: www.learningtrust.co.uk. To learn more about Defra and the Year of Food and Farming visit: www.yearoffoodandfarming.org.uk; or www.defra.gov.uk.
Have you got a snapping bug?
If you have a sharp eye for a photo – and can spot a bug at ten yards, then you could win a prize.
British Waterways is launching a wildlife photography competition for people living near canals, rivers and docks in East London and wants to see pictures of dragonflies and damselflies. The Regents Canal runs through Hackney, offering ample opportunity for photographers.
The aim of the competition is to encourage people of all ages to take part in British Waterways’ fifth annual wildlife survey to record the species found on inland waterways. The information gathered is used to plan the protection and management of canals and rivers.
Last year there were almost 4,000 sightings of over 60 different species. For the 2008 survey, British Waterways has joined forces with the British Dragonfly Society to focus on rare dragonflies and damselflies.
The competition is open until 30 September, and has a special category for children under 12. The winning entries and a selection of runners-up will be published on British Waterways’ website.
Cutting the carbon
Hackney's carbon footprint takes centre stage as the Council prepares a plan to help tackle climate change in the borough.
The Council has investigated Hackney’s C02 emissions, and will use this information to set further targets for annual reductions.
The most recent results show that in 2005 the borough’s total carbon emissions were 958,000 tonnes per annum, the lowest in London.
A key priority in the strategy will be to combat ‘fuel poverty’, where a household spends more than 10 per cent of its income on heating – a result of poor energy efficiency in a home, and rising energy costs.
In January this year the Council signed the Nottingham Declaration, a pledge to recognise climate change, and to work with residents, businesses and other organisations to reduce carbon emissions.
The Council’s refuse collection fleet is also being fuelled with biodiesel blend to reduce emissions. Schemes to encourage cycling in Hackney have resulted in a 70 per cent increase since 1991 in cycle journeys to work, and 118 per cent increase overall.
Page updated: 7 Jul 2008