The COP15 kids who made a climate newspaper
Climate issues landed on the doorstep of the studentDanish school students make their own newspaper covering the climate conference
by Georgina Nitzsche
The next generation of climate reporters is already in training as Class 7 from the Niel Steensen’s secondary school in Copenhagen produced their own climate newspaper – the NSG Times.
Furthermore, last week’s collaboration between the Biology, Geography and English faculties, was conducted entirely in the English language.
With a short introduction to writing skills, the 23 bright young journalists aged 12 and 13 years old, held their own editorial meetings and worked in small groups to produce scientific and cultural articles as well as breaking news, unfazed by the challenge of a second language.
Louise O’Flanagan Henrichsen, English teacher at the school says: “We are working together to give our students a meaningful way of contributing to COP15.”
The budding reporters thoroughly enjoyed the experience, especially their visit to the Rethink Contemporary Art and Climate Change exhibition.
“Seeing through artists’ eyes helped us to think of climate change in different, positive ways instead of doom and gloom,” enthused student Julia Holt.
The COP15 Post invited the students and teachers into the office to see how some slightly older journalists were tackling the conference. The three school editors, who designed the layout of the 12-page newspaper, easily recognized the office buzz, “Though we had to work under pressure, I loved my role” said Daniel Sørensen. “I really enjoyed the stress and rush to get everything done in time,” agreed his friend Alex.
By following the news and visiting side events, the class felt they could better relate to the climate debate and become more well informed.
“It is so refreshing to show them a bit of the real world,” said Henrichsen.
