Pupils role-play climate summit

The pack contains 'key issue' cards looking at different topics

In the run-up to December's Copenhagen climate conference, school pupils in Wales are being encouraged to debate the world's major environmental issues.

Every secondary school is to receive a Welsh Assembly Government-sponsored activity pack, titled 'Big Climate Change Debate - How to Play Your Part'.

The pack includes 'top trumps' cards, role-play and research opportunities.

Tony Price, deputy head of Chepstow School, Monmouthshire, said their pack would be used to stage a mock summit.

Launched by environment minister Jane Davidson, the pack aims to get classes thinking about the issues and how a new deal to reduce global green house gas emissions can be agreed.

Aimed at children aged 11 and over, it encourages pupils to take part in a mock debate on climate change based on the United Nations conference that will be held in the Danish capital between 7 - 18 December.

By role-playing world leaders, young people will learn how countries around the world are being affected by climate change Tony Price, deputy head of Chepstow School

Pupils can play a number of roles, from acting as UN secretary general, to being a journalist and asking tough questions.

Ms Davidson said the assembly government wanted to get school children across Wales interested in this debate.

"We want to encourage them to find out more about why climate change matters to their lives and look at the issue from a number of different perspectives," she said.

"Schools will also get the chance to feed back their thoughts so that I can take their voice to the talks in December to make sure their opinions are heard.

"Getting the young involved in this cause is the only way we will succeed."

'Role-playing'

Mr Price said pupils at Chepstow School were keen to learn more about the forthcoming UN conference.

"We intend holding a mock Copenhagen conference using the trump cards for prompts along the way," he explained.

"By role-playing world leaders, young people will learn how countries around the world are being affected by climate change and what can be done to tackle the problem."