A dynamic new education pack based on the film The Age of Stupid, launches today by ActionAid as part of its work communicating climate change issues to schools. The charity is the driving force behind 10:10 Schools, the new campaign asking individuals, schools, hospitals and other organisations to cut their carbon emissions by 10% in 2010. ActionAid is giving away free copies of the pack, ‘Stupid or not: Education for a smarter planet’, to the first 1,000 secondary schools that sign up to the 10:10 campaign.

The film, The Age of Stupid, tells a cautionary tale. Set in 2055, in a devastated world, the star Pete Postelthwaite sits in a tower looking back through archive footage and wonders, ‘Why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?’

Together with film director Franny Armstrong, ActionAid has developed a resource pack to stimulate debate among schoolchildren and create an alternative ending. The pack does not include the entire film but explores the issue though a series of film clips, photo-cards and thought-provoking animations.

ActionAid’s staff see first-hand everyday how climate chaos is affecting some of the most vulnerable people in the world. To help teachers explain the issues and get their school started with 10:10, ActionAid is now providing loads of information, materials and guidance.
 
Writer Anthony Horowitz, who is a supporter of 10:10, and is encouraging more schools and young people to get involved says:
“I often feel a sense of helplessness when faced with the enormous challenge of climate change and the environment. Here at last is a simple, undemanding way that we can all make a contribution which is why I’m very glad to support 10:10.”

‘Stupid or not:  Education for a smarter planet’ is suitable for 12+ (has 12A certificate) Key Stage 3 upwards and contains:
•    Photo card stories from the film
•    Film clips
•    Thought-provoking animations
•    Activities to support citizenship, geography and English
•    Cross curricular links to global dimension and sustainable development, creativity and critical thinking skills, technology and media.

Janet Convery, Head of Education at ActionAid, comments:
“With exactly 40 days to make or break climate change in Copenhagen, we are launching this pack to support teachers in stimulating classroom debate on the most important issue of our time. The Age of Stupid gives us one possible scenario but we hope the pack will encourage schools to join 10:10 - a campaign that paves the way to a smarter future.”

FREE ‘Stupid or not?’ packs are available for the first 1,000 secondary schools that sign-up to 10:10. And, for primary schools ActionAid is giving away its award-winning PowerDown toolkits to the first 1,000 primary schools that sign up to 10:10. (Both packs normally cost £15)
www.actionaid.org.uk/1010

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Go to the ActionAid Schools 10:10 website www.actionaid.org.uk/1010 for a 10:10 schools checklist, buy 10:10 tags and order teaching packs. There is also a Ning network (a dedicated social network featuring discussion boards, photos and blogs) where teachers can get advice and guidance on reducing their schools carbon emissions http://1010schools.ning.com/

2. ActionAid is a unique partnership of people who are fighting for a world without poverty, in which every person can exercise their right to a life of dignity. We work with poor and marginalised people to help eradicate poverty by overcoming the injustice and inequity that cause it.