General Environmental Education

A key aspect of protecting the environment is education. Many people consider the area to be difficult to understand, and indeed, many issues involve complex technical issues. However, one of the roles of the Council is to explain the facts about areas such as waste management and pollution to the public.

The Council considers that environmental education should not exist not only in the classroom. Indeed, the school curriculum has been transformed in the last number of years and pupils are now given a greater understanding of environmental issues and solutions than ever before. Nowadays, there is also a need to encourage and educate the general public to reuse and recycle where possible, thus minimising indiscriminate dumping in the countryside and reducing levels of waste entering landfill sites. Energy issues are also coming to the fore and although organisations like Sustainable Energy Ireland (www.sei.ie) have the laed role in raising awareness of these energy issues, Kildare County Council also assists people in this regard. Community groups can request talks from the Environment Section to discuss relevant issues.

Schools Education Programme

A more specific programme of education is being conducted in both primary and secondary schools. The programme includes visits to schools countywide, with the objective of involving the students in environmental issues- making the connection between the student and litter, and the student with waste in general. The involvement of these groups will have a wider effect, through influence on adults and younger people with whom they come in contact.

Talks can be arranged on litter and recycling for both primary and secondary schools. Contact the Environment awareness Officer at 045 980588 or e-mail environ@kildarecoco.ie.