Are you doing your bit?
Friday 23 June 2006
Environmental issues are always in the news and yet it seems as if we've still got a problem on our hands.
It's our planet and some say that if we don't look after it, future generations may not be able to enjoy the quality of life we do. Are young people doing enough to help the world we live in? We catch up with four n2k readers who tell us what they think about green issues.
Info please
Dave, 19, finds it hard to get inolved in ecological issues because of all the conflicting information available. " I'd like to know what the score is with global warming.," he tells us.
"One week all the weathermen are saying the UK will be as hot as Africa in years to come, then someone else comes out and says there's no proof of that yet. I think there's a lot of confused messages out there."
Island in the sea
Thirteen year old Emma now lives in Malta. " I think that pollution is a problem that needs a lot of thought. In this country we don't do much about it, even though it's so important."
Where she lives there's even less opportunity to go green. She explains: "Malta is a small island in the Mediterranean sea; only 56,000 people. Recycling bins are very rare: there are only about 10 sets of them in the country. We have to work together to do something about it."
All talk and no action
James, 16, reckons it's time everybody got stuck in rather than chat about it. He explains: "To be honest I don't think young people do enough no matter what they say. The world is still in a mess but not many people recycle or campaign on environmental issues."
James uses his hometown as an example of people not bothering to do their bit: "Here in Dundee we have a really good recycling system but not everyone uses it. It's a shame."
Eco expert
Nicole, 13, puts her attitude to green issues down to her heritage. "My parents are from Australia, so they are really conscious about recycling," she says.
"We recycle paper, plastic, cardboard, aluminium and glass at home and whatever else we can at the recycling centre. My school has got paper recycling, but the problem is not many areas have access to such facilities."
Nicole thinks it's about time we all got real. "We should be more aware; this is the world we are handing down to our children and grandchildren," she tells us. "If we don't do something, who will?"
