Students at the University of Worcester have been training local residents, organisations and fellow students to become more carbon literate.
They have been delivering Carbon Literacy training at local libraries, for local authority members, as well as to fellow students.
The Carbon Literacy Project is run by the Carbon Literacy Trust and is recognised by the United Nations as a worldwide programme to educate people about climate change, carbon footprints, and how individuals and organisations can help to reduce their impact. More than 80,000 people have now taken the training across more than 30 countries. Everyone who completes the training receives a certificate from the Carbon Literacy Trust.
A small group of Worcester students, including four students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, USA, who were on a seven-week placement at the University, were taught to deliver Carbon Literacy training.
Katy Boom, the University’s Director of Sustainability, said: “This has been a really exciting initiative for us, enabling our students to become educators on a topic they are passionate about. It’s also given local people the chance to learn more about climate change and think about their own carbon footprints and the ways in which they can make changes to their behaviour.
“As well as delivering training in local libraries, the students delivered sessions to a group of Secondary PGCE students who have then used the material within their teaching placements in secondary schools, and also delivered a taster session to a group of staff in West Mercia Police and several are now progressing to undertake the full Carbon Literacy programme.” The University is now collaborating with the Open University to widen access to Carbon Literacy training through access to an online platform.