Gordon Praises College's Action On Climate Change
Blackpool Sixth Form College Students spelt out their thoughts about protecting the planet when they got together with Gordon to discuss the key international climate change conference being held in Copenhagen this December.
The students have set up an ‘Eco-Council’ at the college whom Gordon met on his visit last week. They quizzed Gordon on UK Government priorities to cut greenhouse gases, share green technology with poorer countries and protect forests and discussed issues around Fair Trade and other initiatives.
‘The College’s Eco-Council members had previously collected a petition of over 200 students from the College on Climate Change which I forwarded to Ministers Ed Miliband and Joan Ruddock. I am delighted Joan replied congratulating their initiative and that they’ve already taken ambitious local and international steps, helping improve recycling and energy efficiency at the College and a exchange trip to a partner school in Turkey this summer carrying out awareness projects together.’ Gordon said.
Gordon,who also chairs the Parliamentary Group on Skills, took them through the work that group has been doing with Government, businesses and unions to promote ‘green jobs’ creation and went through with them the Action Plan the British Government will take to Copenhagen.
Speaking afterwards students were upbeat about the meeting and their future initiatives. ‘It’s fantastic Blackpool has the potential to have a greener future…’ ‘it’s good to see our MP taking an interest and the time to meet with us’ and ‘working towards an eco-friendly environment is something that needs to be collaboratively and internationally’ were the comments from Eco-Council members Kate Leonard, Ben Baxter and Calvin Yuen.
‘I’m really pleased the College has encouraged the students on this path’ Gordon added, Principal Felicity Greeves also took part in the meeting. ‘The students plan to use the return visit of their Turkish counterparts next spring to beef up green awareness in Blackpool, I hope that can be a catalyst to get lots of people, particularly younger ones, thinking how we can do practical things to go green across the town.’
