Schools across the county are set to benefit from a new resource to help support climate discussions within schools. 
 

Following a rise in climate anxiety amongst young people, the ‘Climate Change and Sustainability in Northumberland: Schools Resource Pack’ has been created by the climate change team at Northumberland County Council and aims to help school staff inspire students, alleviate climate anxiety and empower them to take action locally. 
 

The resource explores issues and solutions at a local level, investigating topics such as energy, nature, water, society and policy, transport, food and waste in Northumberland. 
 

Within the resource, staff can expect to find Northumberland-based information, ideas for local school trips and days out, tips on how to become a carbon neutral school and discussions around some of the big questions about renewables, recycling and nature. 
 

A launch event is taking place on Monday 9 October at 4:15pm, via Zoom, where all school staff are welcome to join to find out more about what is included in the resource and how they can make the most of it within their schools. 
 

If you are a member of school staff in Northumberland and are interested in finding out more, please register here: https://nland.cc/NSSNlaunch  

The resource is available at https://northumberlandeducation.co.uk/climate/  
 

Glen Sanderson, Council Leader and Cabinet Member for climate change said: “I would encourage anyone working within our schools to register for the event to find out more about this fantastic resource. 
 

“Not only is it important that we all learn how to enhance and protect our environment and lower emissions, but we have a duty to protect the wellbeing of our young people, many of whom are very concerned about the effects of climate change on our planet. 
 

“We want to make sure that they feel empowered and encouraged to make a difference – no matter how small – it is all part of a bigger picture.” 

The resource supports national ambitions set out by the Department of Education, in line with the UKs Net Zero 2050 target, to incorporate sustainability and climate change education into UK schools by 2030, including the ambition for every school to nominate a sustainability lead by 2025 and to put in place a climate action plan. 
 

Dr Meryl Batchelder, Subject Leader for Science at Corbridge Middle School said: “The Northumberland Schools Climate Change and Sustainability resource pack will be incredibly useful.  
 

“It allows teachers and students to gain an understanding of climate change and climate action in the context of our own region.  

“Across different educational settings it could be used in a huge variety of ways such as enabling young people to discuss the issues, encouraging them to take their own action and developing the skills they need for sustainable futures." 
 

The resource has been created in line with the Ministry of Eco Education curriculum and is part of the Northumberland School’s Sustainability Network which is a local adaptation of the national UK Schools Sustainability Network, hosted by Global Action Plan.