Schools on Sydney’s northern beaches put words into action last term when they took part in a walk and artistic demonstration to show their commitment to reducing the effects of global warming.

About 300 Year 5 to 10 students along with teachers, parents and community members joined the Peninsula Environmental Action for Community Education (PEACE) Walk for Climate Change, which took place on the Narrabeen peninsula.

As a stark reminder of the impact modern society had on the environment, each student carried a black balloon filled with 50 milligrams of carbon dioxide, which symbolised the amount released daily from a family car.

Coordinator Jillian Cupitt, a teacher at Narrabeen North Public School, said the walk was an example of schools and the community working and learning together.

“It’s getting the kids out in and among the community, being the leaders and teachers in their own community,” Ms Cupitt said.

The event was the result of a climate change learning community that had developed out of the department’s School Climate Change Initiative.

Schools included Narrabeen North, Narrabeen Lakes and Elanora Heights public schools and Narrabeen Sports High.

Ms Cupitt said the day aimed to stimulate interest in environmental civics with a view to building the skills students required for managing the environmental, social, economic and political impacts of climate change.

“Changing the concepts we have about sourcing, using and discarding resources and understanding the way in which we have constructed our societies is essential for the behavioural change needed to achieve a sustainable future,” she said.

“The core of that learning is galvanising community action and bringing schools together with a view to the middle years.”

After the walk students installed sculptures, which represented their thoughts, feelings, ideas and understandings about climate change, along the foreshore of the Coastal Environment Centre. The students also planted native trees to help offset carbon emissions.

Wendy Harmer, patron of PEACE, addressed the students, reminding them to take courage because “every one of you can be a powerful force in the future of the planet”.