Students from 17 schools convened in Dun Laoghaire recently for the first annual Green-Schools Global Citizenship Marine Environment conference. 370 students and their teachers exhibited their work on marine environment awareness at the conference and heard from a variety of speakers on topics including phytoplankton; overfishing; microbeads; and plastic islands.

Two schools, Scoil Bhríde, Lisdowney and St. Clare’s Primary School, Harold’s Cross, presented their work on climate change and plastic islands, at the event. The two schools were chosen following in-school workshops delivered by Green-Schools staff. 

The closing address was delivered by Jo Ruxton, producer of A Plastic Ocean, a documentary examining the plastic islands, or “gyres” in our oceans and their affect on marine life and human health. The documentary was recently screened in Sligo IT during Science Week. 

Included in the day was a presentation by students from Lismore Comprehensive School, Craigavon, who did extensive work on microbead awareness, and a presentation sent by students from an Eco-School in Madagascar, who completed a beach clean-up recently. 

Providing some levity to the proceedings was maritime song group, The Molgoggers, who lead the students in singing sea shanties, and a Yo-Yo-Yoga On The Beach session after lunch. 

Global Citizenship Marine Environment is the newest Green-Schools theme. It was officially launched by Minister Simon Coveney TD and students from Crosshaven BNS on November 21. The theme is supported by the Water Quality section of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. ENDS

Schools attending conference:

o   Milltown N.S, Dublin 6
o   S.N. Molaise, Carlow
o   Gaelscoil Lios na nOg, Ranelagh
o   St. Clare's Primary School, Harold’s Cross
o   Scoil Mhuire na Trocaire, Ardee
o   St. Peter's National School, Dromiskin
o   St. Brigid's Girls' National School, Palmerstown
o   Delgany National School, Wicklow
o   Kilkenny School Project, Kilkenny
o   Scoil Bhride Lisdowney, Kilkenny
o   Ardpatrick N.S, Limerick
o   Meenkilly N.S, Limerick
o   Milford N.S, Limerick
o   Scoil An Spioraid Naoimh, Roxoborough, Co. Limerick
o   St. Joseph's Primary School, Tipperary
o   Lismore Comprehensive School, Drumgask, Craigavon

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