Defra explain the aim of their Act on CO2 campaign and offer practical guidance for both teachers and pupils in reducing their carbon footprints.

Climate Change, Schools and You
Climate change is one of the most urgent issues of our time. It is the greatest environmental challenge we face today as a global community.

Given the enormity of the problem of climate change, people may find it hard to believe that they can do anything to help. However, the consequences of climate change, which include such things as heat waves, flooding and more frequent storms, will affect all of us. The fact is, man-made greenhouse gases contribute significantly to climate change, and action from individuals, Government and businesses is vital if we are to put the brakes on the changing of our climate.

Schools Have a Key Role to Play
Many students are worried about climate change and the impact of our lifestyles, and schools can demonstrate ways of living that are models of good practice for children and their communities.

If we all make some simple changes in our lives, our collective effort will pay off and really help to make a difference.

Time to Act on CO2
Over 40% of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions are the result of decisions taken directly by individuals - for heating and lighting homes, and for personal transport. To encourage individuals to play their part in reaching our CO2 reduction targets, Defra launched the multi-media Act on CO2 campaign earlier this year. The campaign uses press, television and online adverts to illustrate how simple changes to everyday actions can reduce the carbon emissions for which everyone is responsible.

Resources on Climate Change
To support this campaign, Defra has published a booklet on communicating climate change and the role of individuals in helping to overcome this problem. The booklet is entitled "Climate Change: Your Guide to Inspiring Action". Defra has also produced two short films about climate change. The first film illustrates why climate change is happening, what it will mean and how we can all be part of the solution. The newest film, "My CO2", aims to help people make the link between their own actions, CO2 emissions and climate change. Together, the booklet and films provide a valuable resource for anyone who wants to communicate to others ways in which we can all help tackle climate change.

Climate Challenge Fund Projects
Alongside the Act on CO2 campaign, Defra is providing £8.5m in support to community and grassroots projects through the Climate Challenge Fund. The projects are aimed at raising awareness and changing attitudes towards climate change. 17 out of the 83 projects across England have schools as their main audience. The projects include a wide variety of resources such as:

• Online tools
• Workshops for teachers
• Peer to peer education
• Touring exhibitions

Along with this, we offer more innovative ways of communicating through plays, games, art and film.

Local Projects
Many of the Climate Challenge Fund projects operate on a local grass roots level. One project, Helix Arts, is helping school children in the North East understand climate change by producing artwork and films. Other projects operate across England, including the Royal Society of Arts who have developed, in partnership with Tesco, a carbon calculator (the 'Carbonator') as part of The Carbon Control project, designed for key stages 2 and 3 work, pupils aged 7 - 14.

For more information on the Climate Challenge Fund projects and to download the booklet and film, visit www.climatechallenge.gov.uk.

We're in This Together
The private sector has started to react to the demands of their consumers and many companies and retailers are now offering 'greener' products and services.  Over the last year, Defra has been working closely with The Climate Group, a not-for-profit organisation created to act as a coordinator between business, state and civil groups to tackle climate change. The Climate Group's "We're in this Together" campaign aims to provide people with both ideas for changes they can make to their lifestyles as well as practical solutions to reduce their household emissions. Take a look at some of the solutions offered by the companies at www.together.com.

Detect Your Carbon Footprint
The Carbon Detectives' Kit is available for students to help them understand some of the key issues related to climate change and sustainable development (www.carbondetectives.org.uk).
By using the website's information and calculator, students can explore and measure their school's CO2 emissions, identify where the biggest impacts are and plan for improvements.

In the "Take Action" section, you and your students can evaluate the overall impact your school has on climate change and compare it to other schools. You can also look at the areas of activity that contribute most to your school's carbon footprint and see which improvements can make the greatest impact. The Kit also contains guidance on how to prioritise actions and gives tips and ideas for pupils to consider. This is an ideal resource for empowering students and it can lead to behaviour changes that will help the planet and make economic sense for the school.

If you are interested in discovering your personal or your household's carbon footprint, try the Act on CO2 Calculator, available at www.direct.gov.uk/ActOnCO2. The Act on CO2 Calculator looks at three areas - heating and lighting your home, appliances, and personal transport. The Calculator also gives you a range of personalised ideas based on your answers on how to reduce your footprint.

Champions for Climate Change
The new Climate Change Champions competition is set to be launched in September 2007. Defra encourages students across the country to enter the competition to become one of England's next 'Champions.'

Last year's competition was a phenomenal success. The nine Champions had an opportunity to travel to the Chelenalp glacier, close to the Swiss-Italian border, to highlight the dramatic impact of climate change. There were also able to meet then Prime Minister Tony Blair, to discuss what can and is being done to make people aware of the risks of climate change.

Become a Champion
To become a Champion this year, young people aged 11 to 18 will be challenged to show how they can encourage their peers to get involved and take effective action on climate change. The competition will be tough, but for winners the chance to become one of nine Champions will give them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent their peers on a globally vital issue.

Encourage students at your school to enter. Full details on the competition will be available shortly on www.climatechallenge.gov.uk.

Sustainable Schools
The Department for Children, Schools and Families is working with partners to provide resources and materials to help embed sustainable development into all areas of school life. A wealth of resources are available at www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools, including A Bursar's Guide to Sustainable School operation and "Top Tips" to save on energy and water, waste and travel. The site also provides schemes for lesson plans and learning materials, case studies on sustainable development activity in schools, and information and guidance for school governors.

It's Up to All of Us
The responsibility for tackling climate change rests with us all. Schools have a key role to play in educating young people about the importance of taking action now in order to reduce the impact of climate change on future generations. Schools themselves can become beacons of sustainability by greening their operations and students can play an active part in this. The Act on CO2 campaign shows what actions we can all take, as individuals, to reduce our carbon footprints. If we all tread lightly and minimise our footprints, our collective impact on the environment will be significantly reduced. In this way, we can all contribute to tackling climate change.