Children embark on 90-mile pilgrimage over climate change

-20/10/06

A group of Exeter s


Children embark on 90-mile pilgrimage over climate change

-20/10/06

A group of Exeter schoolchildren have today begun a 90-mile pilgrimage from Canterbury to Downing Street in London to call on PM Tony Blair to do more to protect the environment.

The children, who are aged between 10 and 14-years-old, are from Exeter Cathedral School and will follow the ancient pilgrim’s path to highlight their concerns for the earth.

When they arrive in London on October 26, the youngsters will hand a petition to Tony Blair expressing the fears thousands of children have for the future of the planet and calling for urgent Government action.

Their efforts have attracted a host of big name support including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

The children’s teacher, Dana Bagnall, said: “My students have been writing essays in their religious education classes year after year expressing their deep anxieties for the way we treat the planet.

“We are a 900-year-old school with a tradition of prayer so we have decided to pray with our feet.

“The children have named the walk ECO MAD, Every Child’s Opportunity to Make A Difference. We believe in hope and miracles in the ninth hour so we have decided to act.”

Tory leader David Cameron, who is also backing the pilgrimage said: “The children’s eco-walk is a really welcome idea. Children are natural ecologists: we could learn a lot from their interest and excitement in the natural world.

“Our children are also the ones who will have to live with our mistakes if we do not tackle existing environmental problems.”

The children’s petition calls for the Government to take action on a number of issues including: halving school waste output by 2010; issuing carbon credits cards limiting individual carbon spends; and a requirement for all new buildings to be eco-friendly.

One student said: “I think humans should be responsible for earth’s ecology. One of Jesus’ parables is about a shepherd who lost a sheep – he had compassion for animals, why shouldn’t we? Have machines changed the way we think?”

During the walk, which will feature around 15 youngsters, the children will be supported by a number of churches and schools throughout Kent.

At the end of the walk the children will also meet Environmental minister and their local MP, Ben Bradshaw, on College Green in Westminster to talk about their fears for the climate.

The event will then culminate with a blessing by Canon Jane Hedges at Westminster Abbey before they head for home.


Children embark on 90-mile pilgrimage over climate change

-20/10/06

A group of Exeter schoolchildren have today begun a 90-mile pilgrimage from Canterbury to Downing Street in London to call on PM Tony Blair to do more to protect the environment.

The children, who are aged between 10 and 14-years-old, are from Exeter Cathedral School and will follow the ancient pilgrim’s path to highlight their concerns for the earth.

When they arrive in London on October 26, the youngsters will hand a petition to Tony Blair expressing the fears thousands of children have for the future of the planet and calling for urgent Government action.

Their efforts have attracted a host of big name support including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

The children’s teacher, Dana Bagnall, said: “My students have been writing essays in their religious education classes year after year expressing their deep anxieties for the way we treat the planet.

“We are a 900-year-old school with a tradition of prayer so we have decided to pray with our feet.

“The children have named the walk ECO MAD, Every Child’s Opportunity to Make A Difference. We believe in hope and miracles in the ninth hour so we have decided to act.”

Tory leader David Cameron, who is also backing the pilgrimage said: “The children’s eco-walk is a really welcome idea. Children are natural ecologists: we could learn a lot from their interest and excitement in the natural world.

“Our children are also the ones who will have to live with our mistakes if we do not tackle existing environmental problems.”

The children’s petition calls for the Government to take action on a number of issues including: halving school waste output by 2010; issuing carbon credits cards limiting individual carbon spends; and a requirement for all new buildings to be eco-friendly.

One student said: “I think humans should be responsible for earth’s ecology. One of Jesus’ parables is about a shepherd who lost a sheep – he had compassion for animals, why shouldn’t we? Have machines changed the way we think?”

During the walk, which will feature around 15 youngsters, the children will be supported by a number of churches and schools throughout Kent.

At the end of the walk the children will also meet Environmental minister and their local MP, Ben Bradshaw, on College Green in Westminster to talk about their fears for the climate.

The event will then culminate with a blessing by Canon Jane Hedges at Westminster Abbey before they head for home.