Members of the school club ‘Green Generation,’ doing their part for the environment in Jamaica. Photos courtesy Green Generation, used with permission. Campion College is a co-educational, independent high school in uptown Kingston. Founded in 1960 by Jesuits, it has an excellent reputation for academics and, like most high schools, offers several student clubs. One of these is the “Green Generation,” which has the slogan “Go green before the green goes.” I spoke with the current club president, 17-year-old Rhys Greenland, as well as his sister Maria, and Jonathan Shaw — both 15, and both vice presidents — about their activities and goals. Even as they act locally, they are also thinking globally. Emma Lewis (EL): How did “Green Generation” begin? Maria Greenland (MG): A group of students started it in the 1990s. Those students included [current environment minister] Matthew Samuda and [opposition political candidate] Imani Duncan-Price. In fact, Matthew did some tree planting recently at the school, with the Forestry Department. Currently, we have around 50 members, aged 12 to 18, so we do include the whole school. EL: What are the projects you have been most proud of? Rhys Greenland (RG): You will find more information on our activities on our Instagram page. “Unicycle” is one. It is an initiative to recycle school uniforms. A few years ago, I had outgrown my khaki uniform – most Jamaican schools have khaki uniforms for the boys. I wondered how we could repurpose them. Many Jamaican students have just one set of uniforms, which they wash and rewash daily. With the help of Maria and Jordan Nakash [another club member] we began to collect and redistribute khaki uniforms – two million [Jamaican] dollars’ worth [about 13,000 United States dollars], so they don’t go to waste. It's all about waste. We are looking to expand this programme. We have a new drive starting towards the end of the June and continuing through the summer. Our activities were scaled back for two years, during COVID-19 when school was closed. During COVID, however, we went into masks and school supplies. We got lots of corporate support, and […] made masks. Right now, masks are still mandatory in schools. We also started a “Cut and Toss” campaign, encouraging students to cut off the strings of their masks and recycle them, to protect wildlife such as seabirds that are harmed by masks with strings. At the start of the year we create a calendar of activities, using some of the “special environment days” like Earth Day. We use social media a lot, to spread the word. Siblings Maria and Rhys Greenland, showing off school uniforms from their school environmental club's recycling initiative. Photo courtesy Green Generation, used with permission. EL: Tell me about your “Zero Waste Week.” RG: This was a first for us. We had a different event or theme for each day of the week: Meatless Monday was to highlight that meat production, cattle farming, etc. contribute a lot to greenhouse gas emissions. Tee Totes Tuesday involved the younger students. We worked with guidance counsellors and taught First Formers how to make tote bags out of old tee shirts, so they didn’t have to buy bags, and would use less plastic. Wind Down Wednesday was about energy conservation. We wanted people to think about ways to reduce their electricity consumption. Tree Planting Thursday was supported by the Forestry Department, which is spearheading the National Tree Planting Initiative to restore forests, fight climate change and create more green spaces for everyone. Fast Fashion Friday included a clothing drive for donation to children’s homes. There is so much waste in the fashion industry. We also held a scavenger hunt/quiz in the school courtyard, to raise awareness among fellow students. We try to get the messages out through announcements at school assembly, flyers and infographics, and through our IG page. Young Jamaican environmentalists Jonathan Shaw and Maria Greenland, deep in trash. Photo courtesy Green Generation, used with permission. EL: What level of support do you get from teachers, administrators and students? Jonathan Shaw (JS): I think we have garnered a fair amount of support in the school. Lower schoolers also come out and show support. We had 60 participants at a recent online club meeting. Our numbers are fewer at the moment, because most of us are on study leave. We are gearing up again, as we only resumed face-to-face classes in February this year. EL: What about your families, friends, parents? MG: Our families are very supportive. Our parents are already on board. Some parents have even been guest speakers at club meetings: for example, one father talked about composting. Caroline Mahfood at Grace Kennedy Foundation has been very helpful.