Young people flying the green flag

ONE of the most heartening things to happen in Ireland in recent times has been the heightened awareness of the environment among children who are now leading the way and, indeed, educating their parents on such matters.

Up to 80% of our schools are taking part in the highly successful Green Flag programme and, with schools reopening this week, students at all levels will again be reminded of green issues and the appreciation of the natural world around them.

Those of us who have long since departed the classroom have memories of schoolyard litter, especially during the lunch break when paper wrappings were thrown on the ground and crows and other birds swooped in to feast on bread crusts and other food that had been thrown away.