Binstead Primary School welcomed a familiar face recently when the chair of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor Ian Dore, returned to his old school to speak with Year 4 pupils about climate change.
Councillor Dore had been invited to listen to pupils read their work on environmental issues, following classroom discussions inspired by the book The Biggest Footprint.
The children came prepared with a series of probing questions on climate change, which they were eager to put to him.
Afterwards, Cllr Dore said:
“In short, I was grilled hard on this topic.
“Their teacher, Mr Woodhouse, warned me they’d used some emotive phrases, and he wasn’t wrong. It was a robust engagement from the youngsters and I enjoyed it immensely. Fair warning: if you invite me in, I will mess around and have fun!”
Their questions ranged from global environmental concerns to the recent flooding seen locally.
Cllr Dore added:
“You only have to look at our fair village — the effects of climate change are literally on our doorstep.
“The flooding on 2 February is testament to that. The pupils spoke with such passion and understanding. It’s incredibly encouraging to see this level of climate education happening at primary level.”
Before leaving, Councillor Dore was handed 29 letters, each written by a pupil, which he has promised to read, reflect on and reply to.
The visit also sparked a wave of nostalgia. It was the first time Councillor Dore had stepped inside Binstead Primary since leaving in the 1970s. He said:
“I was overwhelmed with emotion.
“I have incredibly fond memories of my time there. Walking into the hall and seeing the original ropes and climbing ladder still hanging from the ceiling — so many great times came flooding back.”
Councillor Dore said it was ‘with immense pride and interest’ that he returned, and praised the current staff for the atmosphere they have created.
Stop brainwashing our kids!
“The flooding on 2 February is testament to that. The pupils spoke with such passion and understanding. It’s incredibly encouraging to see this level of climate education happening at primary level.”
I remember flooding near my house in the 1950s. I also recall the dreadful winter of 1962/63. Both obviously caused by climate change.
Except they weren’t of course. But I could just as easily claim they were couldn’t I. What someone could claim is “climate education” others might see as climate indoctrination by those with influence and an agenda.
Now I’m not saying that climate change is not occurring. It’s less obvious whether it’s man-made or just the natural cycle of the planet. What I am saying is that there is clearly a level of indoctrination going on and there is an obvious incentive in the wider world to, well, overcook the pudding shall we say in order to secure funding for pet projects and jobs.
Did anyone mention that to the pupils by any chance? Were they told the other side of the story or just what their teacher wanted them to hear? At their age they can be easily manipulated to believe whatever an authority figure tells them.
Hopefully, Ian pulled out a chart showing emission growth in the last 40 years, and the children will see that whatever they sacrifice, it will mean nothing if China, India and Asia don’t change their ways, emissions have doubled in 20 years, and in the West they are flat, trending down. Hopefully Ian was also able to tell the children that China will build every year until 2035 enough coal power stations every year to power the whole of the UK. And oh, tell the students about AI and why they shouldn’t use it because of the power it uses….