Women campaigning for a greener world

“40% of the CO2 emissions in Britain are the direct result of actions and decisions that we, as individuals make, each and every day. I warmly welcome this initiative which brings together a distinguished panel to help draw out the key messages which the Government, Funders and learning providers need to address” says Joan Ruddock,  Minister for Climate Change, Biodiversity and Waste in welcoming a conference which takes place in Westminster on Tuesday, 6th May.

‘The Environment as an Issue in Informal Adult Learning’ takes place in Central Hall in connection with ‘Every Action Counts’. The message is simple but responding to it less so; that is the conclusion of a national body which has been at the forefront of this recent development that contribute to protecting the environment. “We joined in the scheme when it was first being promoted by DEFRA,” says Bernard Godding, Chief Executive of the Educational Centres Association. “It fits naturally with our work relating to learning in local communities. Our conference addresses some of the issues that have arisen from field work we have undertaken over the past 18 months”

Every Action Counts has five themes: save energy, travel wisely, —shop ethically, save our resources-, care for your area and Bernard feels that relating these to what local groups, the target of the initiative, actually do isn’t always that easy at first glance. “Groups have their own agendas and don’t see that taking that small step, like arranging a car-share rota, can be a really meaningful activity if members are able to travel together and cut fuel usage.”

Another reason for this may be that some of the most basic science isn’t well understood across the population. Linked to this is evidence that distrust has been built up in the public mind through media reports that some environmental research is in contention. Responding to these concerns Joan Ruddock is clear on these matters. “If the environmental challenges which face us are to be met, it is imperative that we unlock the talents and potential of people in every community to help make a difference. I fully support the Educational Centres Association’s objective of promoting the informal learning needed to help people understand ‘greener living.”

Clearly there is a consistency across Government in such matters; Further & Higher Education Minister John Denham said at the RSA the day following the launch of his adult learning consultation, “If the public do not have the capacity to understand scientific evidence and risk, they face being unable to make the best decisions for themselves and their families, or, in a democracy, to put the most appropriate pressure on politicians.”  “This has a strong bearing on a wide range of environmental issues from biodiversity to climate change,” says Bernard. “Indeed we see that, without strategies that incorporate elements of basic science and environmental science education within Informal Adult Learning, another generation will pass before there can be any hope that these concerns will be addressed. This is a topic where we feel we need to respond clearly to the consultation document, if we are to see policy developed along the lines we advocate.”

For more information about the conference click here