We thank Pam Thornton (Teacher/Project Coordinator) for the following article and images. (S.R.)
Put a STOP to the DROPs!’ is the new Green Code for Derinagree in their quest to save water. This code was chosen by Ms. Kiely’s Rang 3&4. The entire school has been busy conserving water.
WE….
- Read the water meter weekly
- check that taps are turned off properly
- report leaks to our caretaker John
- use a basin in the sink when washing up
- inserted a (water filled)1L milk carton into each cistern to save 1 L for every flush.
We also invited 2 speakers who are experts on conserving water.
Berne Connolly from the Cork Environmental Forum explained how little water in the world is safe for drinking! When we discovered that it was 1% we realised what a precious resource water is! She also showed us how much water is ‘hidden’ in the products we buy e.g. meat, clothes etc. She encouraged us to grow our own food.
Stephanie O’ Toole (from STREAMSCAPES) shared with us the dangerous world of MICRO BEADS! These are tiny plastic particles commonly used in shampoos & toothpaste to improve cleansing power. However we soon realised the terrible harm these pieces of plastic were to the fish.
You can download an app called ‘Beat the Microbead’. Use this app to scan products for these microplastic ingredients! You can then choose to buy a product that does not harm aquatic life.
As a result of these inspirational guests, the senior classes made their own GREEN CLEANING product with vinegar, breadsoda & lemon juice!
Leaky Detectives are now on the prowl to STOP that DROP, as are the Energy Squad whose job it is to switch off lights & shut doors. Our WASTE WATCHERS (no….they’re not in Cullen on Monday nights!) have hardly any work to do according to the children as they now have the hang of keeping our yard & classrooms litter free! Well done!
