THIS spring, over 200 children from 13 local schools have taken part in Keen to be Green: Concern Universal's latest local education project. For their finale, children at Wellington Primary School produced their own Keen to be Green assembly, broadcasting a series of mini news reports, linked to climate change and sustainability, to pupils, parents and Concern Universal staff. In the reports, animal whisperers shared the concerns of pandas, panthers and snow leopards, whose habitats are being destroyed. We took a trip to South America where warmer weather could spread more diseases, like the Zika virus, through deadly mosquitos; who can drink over their body weight in blood. Lastly in Africa, they compared the lives of children in the UK, Malawi and Ghana and we were reminded of the excess of technology in children's lives in the UK. Here, more and more children play on Xboxes, social media, or watch TV in their spare time: whereas children's lives in Ghana are a lot more sustainable as they play outside more and make their own recycled toys.

Each report was punctuated with a powerful statement: 'It won't cost the earth to save the earth', and 'don't waste resources, not everyone has them!' Children then shared their individual pledges to protect the planet and reminded the audience that small changes, like playing outside more (less xbox), planting trees, recycling and saving energy, can make a big difference.

One pupil, Sapphira said 'all children should learn about sustainability, it's a really important message'. For Lilly 'we have a responsibility to look after our world and everything in it'. Bethan is going to 'work on my pledge and make it a daily habit.'

Concern Universal's Development Education Manager, Jo Davies, said 'I was very impressed with the children's assembly; they did their own research and really thought through the ideas, learning and values - well done Wellington!' Keen to be Green was specially designed to teach about sustainably in an inspiring and motivating way, Assistant Head Teacher, Stuart Moore commented ''Our link with Concern Universal is fantastic - the children love getting involved and show a real understanding of sustainability and a passion for supporting such a worthy cause'

Concern Universal would like to thank The Pippin Trust and local business: Kingspan; The Chamber of Commerce and Cargill, for their generous support of the project. Most importantly, to all the following schools for taking part: Wellington; Brampton Abbotts; Hampton Dene; Lugwardine; St Thomas Cantilupe; Mordiford ; Eastnor; Riverside; Clifford; Trinity; Langrove; and Withington.

If your school would like to take part in next year's Keen to be Green – email jo.davies@concern-universal.org