Schools' trees for environment

A village school near Welshpool has become the first in Montgomeryshire to offset carbon emissions for journeys to and from classes by planting trees around its grounds.

Pupils at Trefnanny School have enthusiastically embraced the chance to offset the carbon they generate each day in getting to school.

The move follows 'green' classroom sessions held last year with Montgomeryshire Assembly Member Mick Bates.

He led sessions in which children talked about the activities in their school day that generate the global-warming gas, carbon dioxide.

The youngsters concluded that trees soak up carbon dioxide.

Then they used a carbon calculator to work out how much carbon they each produced going to school.Ê

"Yesterday's session was about planting tees to offset the carbon and to create and maintain green spaces whilst helping to protect the climate," said Mr Bates.

He added: "It wasn't difficult since the children were so aware of the issues already.

"Planting trees to offset carbon emissions is a useful tool.

"But ultimately we all need to use less and take better care of the world's resources.Ê

"I am not aware of any other school taking action to look at their own emissions and plant trees to offset , so I am really thrilled that theyÊ have decided to do it at Trefnanney.Ê

"It is fantastic for them to be the first school to do this - the first of many I hope."