Northern Sustainable Schools Conference:

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• Northern Sustainable Schools Conference
• Every Childs Future Matters
• 7 8 February 2008
• Park Inn Hotel, York

North West Education for Sustainable
Development Forum
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• The environmental dimension of childrens
  well-being.

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Are we building a world fit for children?
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A world where we have beaten climate changewe
have clean air to breatheour streets encourage
cycling and walkingour homes are not blighted by
trafficlandfill is the last resortwe source our
food locallythere are fish left in the seawe
dont wreck the countrysidewe give poor
countries a chance
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The research

• Be healthy
• Substantial deficits in lung function in
  children living within 500 metres of a busy road
  for a sustained period.
• Stay safe
• US research shows that greener urban spaces
  positively reduce aggression levels and crime.

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The research

• Enjoy and achieve
• Cognitive development, reading skills and
  classroom behaviour are affected by aviation and
  road noise.
• Make a positive contribution
• Children were concerned about local environmental
  quality and wildlife habitats but felt they had
  few opportunities to act.

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The research

• Achieve economic well-being
• The Stern Review points to the dramatic negative
  economic consequences of climate change.

Our generation is the first to knowingly
degrade the environment at the expense of
children and their futures.
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So what?
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Road traffic

• Street design which accommodates the needs of
  children and disabled people is likely to suit
  other users.
• Prioritise safe and healthy movement by
  pedestrians
• and cyclists thereby reducing air and noise
  pollution.

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Green Space

• Contact with nature produces positive
  concentration benefits for children with symptoms
  of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
• High quality, away from major roads and properly
  maintained. Green space amenities in council
  facilities and estates.

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Climate change

• Failure to screen all policy initiatives for
  environmental impact works directly against
  childrens future.
• Screen all council initiatives for environmental
  impact.

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Priorities for action

• Policy shifts
• Policy across departments impacts on childrens
  environmental needs
• Sustainable development as a mode of delivery
• Measure environmental well-being

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www.sd-commission.org.uk rebecca.gibbs_at_sd-commis
sion.gsi.gov.uk
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• Northern Sustainable Schools Conference
• Every Childs Future Matters
• 7 8 February 2008
• Park Inn Hotel, York

North West Education for Sustainable
Development Forum