Help kids to dig in deep and save the planet

WHEN I was at school, I don't think we ever had a lesson about climate change. And while we did worry about endangered species, we were not aware at all of the damage that was being done to the environment by carbon emissions. Times have changed-and rightly so.

These days learning about climate change is a key part of the school curriculum. Children are sometimes more clued up about green issues than their teachers and parents. And it's often kids who put pressure on adults to recycle more, switch off lights and turn off the tap when brushing their teeth. The truth is that most of us could be doing more to save the planet and, at the same time, save money. That's why the News of the World's new campaign is really important-and I'm pleased that schools will be a key part of this.

During spring, ALL primary and secondary schools in Britain will receive a pack of 200 tree seeds and a DVD courtesy of the Forestry Commission and the News of the World.

The idea is for schoolchildren to plant and care for the seeds following instructions carried in this newspaper and on a specially-created website, so that ultimately many of those seeds will grow into small tree shoots.

Inevitably some seeds will fail to flourish. But the hope is that with everybody's efforts we might plant a million new trees across the country.

This is a great initiative and this week I've written to every school encouraging them to take part. At the same time as learning about green issues, it's a great opportunity for young people to do something practical for the good of their local community and the future of our planet.

The News of the World has a fine campaigning tradition but the Go Green & Save Campaign is its biggest and boldest yet. I wish it every success and I hope schools across the country will get involved and do their bit.

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