It’s often said by those involved in the battle against climate change, that their greatest motivation is ensuring their children inherit a planet that’s inhabitable, and not an arid, bone-dry, dust bowl.

On Friday morning, the future generation is set to be a highlight of this year’s Carbon Active event at Manchester’s Arndale Centre, which runs from June 5-7. Pupils from St Philip’s Primary School in Hulme will be calling the shots in the unique Carbon Classroom, with adults invited to take a seat as the children tell them what they need to do to cut their carbon footprints.

“The students will be teaching members of the public about climate change…  and the need to make changes fast because it's the younger generation that will be picking up the pieces in the future.”

“It’s unique – there’s nothing like this anywhere else in the UK,” explains project co-ordinator Virginia Harvey. “The students will be teaching members of the public about climate change…  and the need to make changes fast because it's the younger generation that will be picking up the pieces in the future.”

Carbon Active is part of the celebrations for World Environment Day and will also include the chance to make soap with Lush, view the Dwelle eco-house from award winning Manchester architect Ric Frankland, and enjoying free energy cutting advice from Northwards Housing. There will also be a quiz about the carbon footprint of popular meals, an “Energetic” game show and a “Project Pledge” apple tree from the Moss Cider Project, which will invite visitors to pin up a leaf pledge on how they will reduce their carbon footprint.

The event is part of Manchester’s Carbon Literacy Project, an ambitious programme launched in 2011 which is offering  everyone who lives, learns and works in the city access to a day’s worth of training about how to reduce their carbon footprint.

The event is part of Manchester’s Carbon Literacy Project, an ambitious programme launched in 2011 which is offering  everyone who lives, learns and works in the city access to a day’s worth of training about how to reduce their carbon footprint.

“It’s an excuse to shout out about Carbon Literacy and what we are doing,” says Virginia Harvey  and with more than 350,000 people expected to pass through the Arndale over the three days, it’s a message that can’t be ignored.

Phil Korbel, Co-Director at the Carbon Literacy Project, explains: “It’s a fun way for people to get involved with learning about climate change – not as something distant and irrelevant but as something that is about them wherever they live, learn or work. Carbon Active also shows people how they can do something about climate change and help start the city on a path to having a safer and low carbon future.”

Virginia adds: “Carbon Literacy is about behavioural change. We’re trying to make reducing your carbon footprint an everyday thing that everyone speaks about.”
However, conscious that today people are bombarded with advice about how to insulate their homes and cut energy bills from all directions, Virginia points our that the project is about more then just energy efficiency. 

“Carbon Literacy fits into all walks of life. It’s so flexible,” she says, with project workers engaging with a range of sectors and businesses, from the fire brigade to hairdressers, as well as social landlords, students on gardening courses and even adults studying foreign languages. “It is incredibly ambitious,” concedes Virginia, “but it’s gaining momentum all the time.”

To access the training, please visit the project’s website here.