Suffolk students showcase how they plan to tackle climate change

On the same week as the G7 world leaders will discuss climate change local students at Alde Valley Academy have been applauded for their work towards reducing their school’s carbon footprint.

A team from Sizewell C, the planned new low carbon power station for Suffolk, the Sizewell visitor centre and Net Zero Leiston set the students a challenge to find ways to reduce the school carbon footprint.  Using data provided by Groundwork East, a company working locally on Net Zero Leiston, the students could see the current levels of carbon emissions and set to work on the changes they could make to reduce their footprint.

The Year 7 and Year 8 students jumped at the chance to get involved and by working in teams set about carrying out research and recommendations which they presented to a panel from Sizewell B and Sizewell C.  The winners received an Amazon Echo Dot and the runners up took home an Amazon gift voucher.

Jack Raven from Sizewell C told the students in this morning’s assembly: “We introduced the challenge to help you learn about carbon emissions and climate change and what we need to do to tackle it.  You really showed us what you learnt, so much so we had a tough task to pick our winners.”

The winning Year 8 team; The Tree Musketeers, came up with a variety of ideas and gave detail around all areas of green low carbon energy generation and a clear call to action.

The Tree Musketeers representative, Thomas, 12, said: “There are lots of really simple ways you can cut your carbon emissions, from recycling through to installing a ground source heat pump. Everyone can play their part from using a food waste bin through to turning the lights off and not leaving electrical equipment on standby.  Our ideas can be used by the whole community.”

Miss Moore, Alde Valley Academy, Assistant Headteacher oversaw the project: “The net zero challenge which Sizewell C set the school has really complemented our science curriculum. Our students really enjoyed participating and engaged with staff from EDF and Groundwork East to support their project. Their awareness has been greatly raised and we look forward to continued work within our community around this project.”

Net Zero Leiston

The Net Zero Leiston project is community led and has the parish’s interests at the heart of the decision making. The project is intended to provide the parish the opportunities that it may not receive without the project driving the path for change. This is a first-of-a-kind, exciting project, taking a whole systems approach, looking to truly engineer a pathway to net zero. It will have national and international reach, raising Leiston’s profile as an exemplar of a net zero community and attracting new opportunities.

The proposals from the route map and initial pilots will make Leiston homes and businesses ‘cleaner’ (less carbon intensive) with sustainable, affordable solutions. The project will be driven by the local community, with local residents playing a key role in determining which options are chosen by Leiston in its journey to Net Zero.

The project is supported by world-class experts whose knowledge can be leveraged by the local residents and businesses. The route map will ensure as much of the proposed work required is supplied by the local residents, boosting the local economy. The project will act as a catalyst to continue Leiston’s industrial identity as a leader of the green, industrial revolution