Mbale City Council principal environment officer Rhoda Nyariibi has commended the Green Schools Initiative for contributing towards generational climate change awareness among young people.

Speaking at the ongoing Green Schools’ Initiative at Mbale Secondary School, Nyariibi was impressed by how the brains behind the campaign opted to involve schoolchildren.

“As an activist and an administrator, I am happy to see these crucial conservative contributions to our society,” Nyariibi said.

According to Nyariibi, the initiative will enhance environmental consciousness hence constructive policy making and environmental practices.

“To you the organisers of Green Schools’ Initiative and participants across the country, kindly receive my appreciation for your role in highlighting the need for holistic environmental education,” Nyariibi said on March 15, 2024.

The city environment officer urged people to grow and not just plant trees.

Providing a distinction between growing and planting trees, she elucidated that the former entails nurturing trees over time, ensuring their long-term viability and contribution to the ecosystem.

This nuanced perspective underscores the significance of ongoing care and stewardship in fostering green spaces within urban environments.

Acknowledging the invaluable support of partners in the initiative, Nyariibi expressed gratitude to the partners especially Vision Group and teachers for their unwavering commitment to environmental conservation.

Some of the attendees at the mideastern Green Schools initiative orientation workshop for selected headteachers and co-ordinators, include Budaka SS, Butiru Christian Comprehensive, Gamatui SS and Sebei College Tegeres. Others are Mbale SS, Nabumali High School, Tororo Girls School and St Peter’s Tororo.

The Green Schools Initiative is a partnership between Vision Group and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), funded by the Swedish Embassy in Uganda.

New Vision editor John Eremu, who oversees the implementation of the initiative, says: "This is the second year and phase two of the project that aims at raising awareness about Climate Change and coming up with innovations aimed at combating it."

Meanwhile, FAO representative Christine Akello emphasized that students should not only acquire knowledge within classroom walls but also actively engage in initiatives that positively impact their communities.

Overall, their collaborative efforts have been instrumental in driving the green school initiative forward, fostering a sense of collective responsibility towards environmental stewardship.