During Enterprise week, year 10 Science classes were set the task of reducing the school’s carbon footprint… the amount of Carbon Dioxide emitted in generating electricity used by the school or by burning natural Gas to heat it. Students had learnt about carbon emissions during the Carbon Challenge in October then presenters from BP (now called ‘Beyond Petroleum’) took them through a series of exercises on reducing carbon emissions. The classes then had to find ways of reducing the amount of gas and electricity used by closing doors and switching off lights. On the Monday, before the challenge began, the school used 191 m³ of gas and 485units of electricity producing over 1 tonne of carbon dioxide. By the end of the week, gas consumption was down 10%. There was no room for complacency however as gas consumption on a Monday is higher is the building is re-heated after the weekend.

We would have to maintain our vigilance over energy wastage over a long period if we are to have any real impact.