Kids rally to clean up planet School events help kick off annual Go Clean Get Green campaign
Hundreds of kids at G.R. Saunders Elementary School in Stellarton rallied to clear out trash from their community, joining others around the world in cleaning up garbage.
The schoolchildren picked up litter from both the school grounds and the wider community Thursday in the 15th annual Pictou County Go Clean Get Green campaign, which kicked off with a special school assembly.
“It’s very important, because if you don’t pick up garbage the environment will get badly damaged,” said student Lola Dean.
Recent events halfway around the world in the Indian city of Mumbai have proven her right.
Just two years ago, Mumbai’s Versova Beach was a filthy dumping ground for garbage and plastic waste in India’s biggest city.
However, teams of volunteers picked up rubbish and taught nearby slum-dwellers sustainable waste management in a massive clean-up effort.
Today, turtle hatchlings have been spotted on Versova Beach for the first time in decades this spring.
“One thing about picking up litter, you can stand back and really see the impact of your efforts,” said GCGG founding chair Jim Shaw.
He said that today’s youth are much more environmentally aware and will become future leaders who must care for the Earth and tackle issues such as pollution and climate change.
It is a far cry from Shaw’s school days, when children had no idea what a carbon footprint was.
However, cutting one’s personal consumption of fossil fuels is becoming increasingly important for the current generation.
“It’s extremely important to engage kids at this age, which is why we’re in elementary schools. It’s all about a call to action to mobilize and change behaviours,” said Shaw.
By teaching children about picking up litter and other good environmental habits early on, GCGG hopes to teach them greener habits for life.
GCGG also visited the Pictou Landing First Nation School later on Thursday to launch the campaign there.
On Friday, GCGG is launching a corporate challenge day, encouraging people to pick up the litter on their own property and others within a 100 feet radius, or any property that requires attention.
On Saturday, the group is planning a general community cleanup day for families, friends, service clubs and other community groups.
For more information on GCGG’s litter pickups and other local community activities, please visit http://www.gocleangetgreen.ca, call 902-396-1495 or email Marla Cameron at Marla.Cameron@pcwastemgmt.com.
People can also visit the Pictou County Solid Waste website to learn more about recycling and upcoming local initiatives to cut garbage and combat littering at http://www. pcwastemgmt.com.