Moira Students Are Climate Champions

By Gayle Miller, EarthCARE teacher lead at Moira Secondary School
May 10, 2011

Grade 10 Foundations students from Moira Secondary recently participated in a project to fight climate change. The program, known as Climate Champions, united students in 25 classes from
across Ontario by having students create and track individual pledges to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The project was sponsored by Green Learning, a non-profit organization with the mission to educate students about environmental issues.

During their study of Climate Change in Science class, the students used an exciting computer-based educational program to research climate change and climate solutions. Each student then put their knowledge into action by writing an E-Card on how to battle climate change to the politician of their choice. As true champions, they then researched what lifestyle changes they
could make to their daily lives and pledged various actions to fight global warming.

Students tracked their progress and reported on their success at the end of the project. By working together, 25 students were able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a whopping 1.2 tonnes. By doing simple things like changing light bulbs, taking shorter showers, turning down the thermostat and carpooling, Moira students really made a difference.

Note: The Climate Action Challenge is a project of the GreenLearning Canada Foundation; on completion of this pilot, GreenLearning expects to take this program nation wide. Check out other GreenLearning programs at: www.greenlearning.ca.