AMSTERDAM, 02/03/07 - Amsterdam secondary schoolchildren will have lessons on clean air from next school year. The move is an initiative of the Amsterdam Environmental Centre (MCA), with a subsidy from the municipality.

The "consciousness-raising project" will be aimed at pupils in the lowest (VMBO) and middle (HAVO) educational levels. Pupils will be taught about the suspected dangers of light pollution and how they can live "greener" lives. For now, seven schools are participating in the trial project, but the intention is to develop a lesson programme for all Amsterdam schools, according to MCA.

MCA is an umbrella organisation of Amsterdam nature groups and a consultative partner of the municipality. It describes its main tasks as "influencing municipal environmental and nature policy and supporting the member organisations" via advice on subsidy applications.