'Greenagers' Want Climate Change Action

Skynews, Updated:10:27, Monday February 25, 2008

British children, well versed in the effects of climate change, are putting pressure on older generations to act now to halt environmental decline.

New research shows 95% of children aged between 4 and 15 were 'concerned' by global warming, with more than half 'very concerned'.

And three out of four respondents believed they were more fluent on the subject than their parents.

The eco-conscious youngsters, dubbed 'Greenagers', now want to put more pressure on older generations to take a lead in environmental decision-making.

Some 70% of those polled believed climate change is something that will affect them in their lifetime.

Another 85% thought people should be more concerned about the issue and 96% believed it is important to encourage other people to be more environmentally friendly.

The research has been conducted by the UK kids' channel Nickelodeon as part of their environmental campaign called 'Nick's Big Green Thing'.

The channel has launched a week of programming to encourage children to create a greener environment.

One of the week's hosts, acclaimed adventurer and environmentalist David de Rothschild, was delighted to see the youngest generation were paying attention to the subject of global warming.

Research for Nickelodeon

He said: "Our climates changing quicker than anyone ever expected and we can't afford to ignore the signs.

"The good news is we have the solutions and this research proves that kids are taking action helping to create more stable environmental conditions for our future generations."

The survey further showed that more than half (59%) of children were aware of the concept of a 'carbon footprint' and were keen to alter their home life in order to reduce it.

Better recycling, switching off lights in empty rooms, avoiding car travel and reducing the use of household appliances all polled highly.

Despite the awarness of home environmental initiatives, the respondents felt that they learned more about the environment from school teachers rather than their parents.