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Schools energy awareness campaign: set up in 2006 with the aim of encouraging better environmental behaviour in schools. A short film was produced for local schools with simple messages to switch off lights, computers and any other equipment not in use. Water Audits: commenced in 15 primary schools in 2006. Three Valleys Water education officers spent a day at each school working with a class and their teacher. Water use and waste was identified in the school, with a teaching pack provided for the schools’ future use. Key points buildings that rely on natural daylight and ventilation support more comfortable learning environments and better health for children. Exciting landscaping which encourages children to play outside encourages physical exercise for young people, all of which contribute to children’s improved physical wellbeing providing low carbon infrastructure, such as school buildings, can be one of the most effective avenues open to local authorities in supporting environmentally friendly lifestyles. However, it can be expensive and disruptive to put into place. children are among the most effective advocates for the environment and educating them to appreciate the importance of behaviour change also helps to spread environmental messages to families. As children mature and age, their appreciation of the environment can help support a wider culture of environmental awareness co-locating a community centre, children’s centre and nursery on the site with the school maximises the impact on attitudes and behaviour.
Food for thought …. The initiatives discussed in this final section explore how local authorities have been able to support the development of environmental awareness and action with a wide focus across a large geographical area or broad community of residents. Common themes that can be drawn from these are: building momentum – behaviour change is a slow process and is best encouraged by a variety of messages repeated at regular intervals over time. Campaigns like ‘Challenge Manchester’ help to reach a large proportion of people in a region each year. By combining action on
Going green and beating the blues
local environmental quality with broader issues like climate change, the campaign helps to build links between immediate behaviour change and longer-term global change. practise what you preach – promoting support for behaviour change will be encouraged if local agencies are seen to ‘walk the talk’ and promote examples of low carbon living at the community level. target the potential advocates – children and young people are open to pro-environmental behaviour and are often strong advocates of behaviour change in the family home. Targeting children and young people is a good tactic for influencing family behaviour, and also educates the activists, consumers and voters of the future.