Pupils put their ‘plastic planet’ concerns to MP
● EAST Runcorn MP Mike Amesbury visited a Runcorn school after pupils wrote to him about the impact of plastics on the environment.
Students at Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy (OBA) had been studying world geographical issues including news articles on issues such as Cape Town Day Zero water crisis, pollution and sustainable transport and the plastic problem as covered in the BBC’s Blue Planet.
Mr Amesbury met three young geographers – Niamh Watcham, Paris Foran and Leah Doolan – who staged a presentation to highlight their concerns surrounding pollution and the risk posed to wildlife by improper disposal of plastics.
The Labour MP pledged to try to help the school find funding to allow the students to be able to fill re-usable water bottles so they can reduce the number of single use water bottles in the school canteen, as well as discussed the use of recycling bins in classrooms.
He also extended an invitation for a member of staff and the three pupils to attend Parliament to highlight their concerns in a bid to gather the support of more schools and promote them to follow suit.
Mr Amesbury said: “I was hugely impressed by the depth of knowledge on display and it’s clear that pupils are extremely passionate about the detrimental impact on the environment that plastics pose.”
Carl Butcher, OBA geography teacher, commented: “It’s great to see students taking their learning outside of the classroom and it feels brilliant that we, as a department, have inspired the next generation.” ●