Tawa students rally for climate change

Big reminder: More than 200 Tawa College students form a huge 350 on the school's sports field to remind people of rising carbon emissions.

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Local students are putting the "cool" into climate change by finding creative ways to spread the news about sustainability to their peers.

Tawa College's Environment Committee and more than 200 of their classmates recently participated in one of the biggest environmental protests organised on International Day of Climate Action.

The day, coordinated nationally by 350.org.nz, called on people around the world to organise rallies on October 24 incorporating the number 350, the maximum number of carbon parts per million (PPM) humanity needs to avoid runaway climate change.

To raise awareness, students formed the significant number on the sports field during their lunchtime rally.
Supervising teacher Briar Horton said the day aimed to push decision-makers at the United Nations to formalise an international agreement to reduce carbon emissions fast.

"Our school wanted to be involved to support the cause. The environment is in a bit of a state and we needed to let people know that something needs to be done about it now."

Year 13 committee member Chloe Holt said she stayed up past her bedtime to bake her share of the 350 muffins sold at the rally.

As part of "the future generation" she wanted to take a stand to save the planet.

"I joined because I really wanted to raise more student awareness [about the environment]. A lot of our students are quite apathetic about it but I think we can all do our bit to make a change even if it's small."

Ms Horton said proceeds from the day went towards the committee for its future endeavours which include clean-ups around Porirua Harbour and eventually Tawa's own wind turbine.

"I think young people are really becoming increasingly aware of their environment and they'll be a vital part in getting through this next bit of the effort [towards lower carbon emissions]."

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