School pupils are marking Earth Day 2021 with a joint project with Southwark’s twinned region of Clichy, in the outskirts of Paris.
Today Southwark primary pupils have been paired with peers across the Channel to discuss the climate emergency and their own projects to help save the planet, from gardening, recycling and food growing.
The project is being introduced on Earth Day, Thursday 22 April, with a video from the Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Barrie Hargrove, and Luc Mercier, Deputy Mayor in charge of International Relations, Culture and Tourism for Clichy, reading a commitment in their home language.
The introduction to the statement says: “The world is facing a climate emergency and we must all take action to stop the irreversible damage.
“Earth Day is a day recognised around the world for supporting the protection of the environment and the future of our planet.
“Today, as twin cities, Southwark and Clichy come together as friends to reaffirm our commitment to tackling the climate emergency.
“In our two cities we are already taking actions including improving recycling, encouraging more walking and cycling, improving our natural environment and greater use of renewable energy
“But, we must do more, and we therefore recommit to building a more just, more sustainable world.
“In Southwark and Clichy we will continue our efforts, working especially with our youngest children who will inherit the planet from us.
“We will build new links between schools where children in both our cities can share their work, inspire and learn from each other about biodiversity and sustainability.
“Over the coming year, we will make further commitments as both Southwark and Clichy take action to tackle the climate emergency together.
Cllr Johnson Situ, cabinet member for climate emergency, planning and transport, said: “We are very pleased to be working with our French colleagues on an issue that goes far beyond the borders of our borough.
“This partnership will strengthen our own relationship with our twin city, and get young children talking to each other and sharing ideas about how we can make this a better world for their future.”
I always thought Southwark was twinned with Sunnydale