YOUNG PEOPLE DO CARE ABOUT OUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT! Young people these days take a lot of flack from the older generation for one thing or another. However, what I am finding is that many are keen to actually do their bit for their local community and the environment. Particularly here in Derry the ongoing issue of gasification/incineration plans has been highlighted to people of all ages over recent months, and it is up to everyone to get involved in helping to protect the environment, including young people. Both Enagh Youth Forum and Zero Waste North West have been inundated with requests from students from secondary school, GCSE students, A-Level students, Degree students and even Masters students. All the students who have contacted us are all studying a range of subjects from Active Citizenship, Sociology, law, Geography and even Film and Media Studies. Emmet Ryan is a student at North West Regional College and will be working with campaigners from Zero Waste North West and members of Enagh Youth Forum on developing up a documentary in relation to the gasification plant that Derry City Council and the North West Regional Waste Management Group are proposing for Derry City and the North West Region. Young people from Enagh Youth Forum who are currently involved in a Social Justice project that is funded by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland have also been out on fact finding field trips across the North looking at best practice examples of recycling and and exploring how we can best move forward as a region towards the goal of Zero Waste. This project is ongoing and continues to raise awareness locally on these important issues. Emily Dixon is a 2nd year student at Magee University studying Sociology and Psychology. Emily intends on carrying out a mini dissertation on the issue of gasification/incineration and in particular will cary out research locally within the Strathfoyle community to further ascertain and collate residents concerns in relation to the proposed plans. Emily is posing the question: How can a ‘zero waste’ strategy for the North West be aligned with and supported by current and prospective European Union legislation (waste, producer responsibility, labelling, environmental liability), UK legislation and Northern Ireland legislation. A Zero Waste strategy cannot be delivered entirely within a region such as the North West without legislative support – including prospective support from forthcoming legislation and targets. On the 20th February Miss Mc Kays year 9 group from Thornhill College came to Derry City Council offices on Strand Road to hand over 1000 signatures on a petition opposing D.C.Cs proposal of Gasification and asking them to support a Zero Waste Strategy instead. Later that day Jim and Judi from ZERO WASTE NORTH WEST (ZWNW) did a presentation to the class on the dangers of gasification and the benefits of Zero Waste and how we all need to think about the things that we do that contribute to the waste crisis and indeed the whole unfair system of consuming worldwide. They watched The story of change by Annie Leonard and there was a good discussion on the topic, the girls were congratulated on their active citizenship and were given a copy of Change the world nine to five each. Just last week young people from St Oliver Plunkett Primary School along with the Conservation Volunteers planted 320 native trees at Enagh Lough in support of the local wildlife and environment. So, helping the environment doesn’t have to be complicated or even particularly time consuming. No matter what your age, there are many simple yet highly effective ways in which you can do your bit for the environment, both at home and out and about. If you want to get more involved with protecting the environment, take some time to find out about local community projects or projects at school or college. No matter how big or small your contribution is, every step you take towards protecting the environment is a step that will benefit the whole planet. “I, like everyone else who is involved with the campaign against incineration here in Derry are overwhelmed by the level of support coming from our young people here in derry and it is very encouraging for our city and region. One thing is clear – Young people ‘do’ care about our local environment and I would just like to say to them - keep it up - use are all doing great work.” TO GET INVOLVED IN THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST GASIFICATION/INCINERATION - GET IN TOUCH WITH ZERO WASTE NORTH WEST VIA WWW.DERRYAIR.EU Paul Hughes Environmental Campaigner Independent Candidate
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 11:17:56 +0000
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