We’ll teach your greens

GCSE to help kids get smart on environment

SCHOOLS are set to go green with a new GCSE subject to inspire a generation of Greta Thunbergs.

Ministers are in talks to introduce a qualification in environment and sustainability, covering topics such as biodiversity and the dangers of climate change.

Swedish Greta became a global icon for the cause at 15, when she began spending her days protesting outside parliament.

Green campaigner Joanne Roach, whose organisation The Foodies teaches youngsters about food sustainability, told the Sunday Mirror: “This is a great first step towards the greening of the school curriculum.

“It’s really important this GCSE is not just for people who want to work in conservation but also to take that under

INSPIRING Greta Thunberg standing of the environment into other fields. I’m a parent of two school leavers who are very worried about the future of the planet – who find it frustrating knowing there are problems to face, but not feeling knowledgeable enough to tackle them.”

Schools standards minister Robin Walker is in talks with exam board OCR to create the Natural History course for 14 to 16-year-olds. He said: “It’s vital children are taught about environmental and sustainability issues.”

The idea came from naturalist and broadcaster Mary Colwell after 80% of children in a survey could not identify a bumblebee. Sharon Darcy, director of Sustainability First, said: “An understanding of the

natural world needs to start from primary school, embedded across subjects but also

as a subject itself.”

Children are worried about the future of the planet JOANNE ROACH ON CLIMATE THREAT