As part of the Earth Charter Italian Youth Contest, Green Cross Italy staff visited the Nicholas Copernicus High School in Prato, Italy on 21 February to teach students how to calculate their carbon footprint.
Carlo Santoro, an expert on renewable energy and executive committee member of Green Cross Italy, first introduced the topic before working with students to calculate the carbon footprint of the school. Together with Green Cross, the school aims to analyse their consumption of water, electricity and heating as well as paper and waste. The students, led by Professor Mariana Pirillo, will then develop a plan to reduce emissions and promote energy efficiency.As part of the Earth Charter Italian Youth Contest, the student’s final plan will be evaluated by a committee of experts, who will announce the winner at the end of the school year. Winners will receive a prize from the Italian Consortium Ecolamp as well as the possibility to attend an awards ceremony with the President of the Italian Republic at the Quirinal Palace.
Already very involved in environmental protection activities, the Nicolaus Copernicus high school has a team of 30 third and fourth grade students, who volunteer in various initiatives and projects at both the local and national levels.