Herbert: Conservatives back ‘Carbon Army’ of green volunteers
25 November 2009
In a speech today backing the launch of the British Trust of Conservation Volunteers’s ‘Carbon Army’, the Shadow Environment Secretary Nick Herbert set out how more young people could get involved in green volunteering through Conservative plans for National Citizen Service for school leavers. Nick Herbert said:
“The Carbon Army is a fine example of active citizens taking practical steps to improve the environment and it builds on BTCV's long and admirable record of mobilising volunteers to make a real difference.
“Tackling climate change and protecting the environment is not just the responsibility of government and businesses - it requires everyone to play their part. Joining BTCV's Carbon Army is a great way for individuals to work together for the benefit of the whole community.”
Nick Herbert added:
“We want to make it easier for people, especially teenagers, to volunteer for a wide variety of causes. And nowhere in Britain is the scope for volunteering so broad as in conservation and environmental work.
“Young people are passionate about the environment – more so now than ever before. And throughout the country there is no shortage of conservation schemes that need extra hands. Whether it is helping to maintain woodland paths, restoring habitats for threatened species, repairing fencing or just cleaning up parks and beaches, conservation volunteering provides a wealth of worthwhile activities for young people of all backgrounds.
“The BTCV’s ‘Carbon Army’ need lots of young recruits so I want to build on our plans for all school leavers to conduct some form of National Citizen Service, by inviting BTCV and other leading conservation charities to help run some of these voluntary programmes.
“Our National Citizen Service programme would see a big expansion in the number of young people engaged in some form of volunteering. Conservation charities should be heavily involved. By boosting volunteering and harnessing young peoples’ enthusiasm, we can help conserve our environment and create a stronger society.”