Children 'key to protecting environment' - Ryan

Educating children on the efficient use of the world’s scarce resources is the solution to protecting our environment, according to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan.

Mr Ryan was speaking at the launch of the An Taisce Green-Schools Energy Project sponsored by ESB Independent Energy at Our Lady of Victories infant School in Ballymun in Dublin.

The new initiative brings businesses and schools together to demonstrate the practical application of energy.

Companies such as Superquinn, Dell, Tesco Ireland and Silverhill Foods have signed up to partner with schools in their areas.

“A basic knowledge of the need to reduce emissions and conserve diminishing resources will not suffice. We must be practical in generating awareness and the solution-focused outlook of the Green Schools project is impressive,” said Mr Ryan.

Registered schools will get the opportunity to see, learn and generate new ideas on the benefits and impacts of best practice in energy management.”

“Schools can submit projects based on what has been learnt and these projects will be submitted into a competition and can win prizes for their schools,” he added.

Micheal Michael McNicholas, executive director of ESB International said he was proud to sponsor the project.

"In a few years these young children will be in positions within the business community to make decisions that may have a critical impact on all our lives. What they see and learn now will have an impact on future decisions,” he said.

Businesses who wish to sign up to the project can do so at www.esbie.ie