Environment
BRIDGE That Gap Initiative (BTG), an NGO, says it is raising a new generation of climate-conscious leaders in Kaduna State through its Green Savers Club (GSC) initiative, designed to embed climate action among schoolchildren.
The Executive Director of the organisation, Ms Gloria Bulus, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Thursday.
Bulus said that the initiative, designed to equip primary and secondary school children with environmental leadership skills, fosters early climate consciousness using hands-on activities like tree planting, waste management, and eco-clubs within schools.
She said that the GSC is a core component of BTG’s broader environmental and educational outreach across Northern Nigeria.
“The GSC initiative focuses on closing the knowledge-to-action gap by teaching children about conservation, pollution control, and climate resilience among others from an early age.
“This will enable the young leaders to drive the needed change in their respective communities,” she said.
She said the NGO began establishing the clubs in one school in 2022 and has since grown into a community of young climate champions across Kaduna State.
She said BTG is scaling up the GSC initiative in 2026, targeting 10 schools with the aim of “raising a new generation of climate-conscious leaders.”
She said so far, four clubs have been established in schools across Kaduna North and Chikun Local Government Areas.
Bulus identified the schools as YMCA Nursery and Primary School, Sabo Tasha; Government Girls Secondary School, Independence Way; Baptist Model School, Ungwan Boro; and Ansar-Ud-Deen College, Abeokuta Street, Kano Road.
According to her, the initiative is creating safe spaces for students to learn, engage, and take action on climate and environmental issues.
“The GSC is designed to bring climate education directly into classrooms, helping students connect global challenges to local realities.
“By embedding climate action in schools, Bridge That Gap Initiative is ensuring that young people grow up with the knowledge, values, and leadership skills needed to protect their environment and communities,” she said.
The executive director said the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) developed a Climate Change Children and Youth Action Manual to support the initiative.
She explained that the manual provides age-appropriate resources for climate learning, beginning with starters, where children aged five to 10 years are introduced to climate basics in fun and engaging ways.
She added that the advanced section, for ages 11 to 17, empowers youths with deeper knowledge, practical skills, and leadership opportunities to champion climate action.
Highlighting the impact so far, Bulus said more than 250 students have already joined the movement through the first four clubs.
She said BTG aims to reach at least 1,000 students across 10 schools by the end of 2026, building a strong network of climate-conscious leaders who will drive change in their communities.
She added that the organisation intends to introduce its flagship Earth Lungs Project into the GSCs, focusing on planting, nurturing, and protecting trees in communities.
“This is because trees are the lungs of our planet, essential for clean air, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation.
“As part of this integration, BTG will roll out the Tree Logbook, a practical tool developed to help schoolchildren track the growth of seedlings they plant.
“The logbook allows students to monitor progress, record nurturing activities, and ensure sustainability of the trees over time.
“This also ensures that every tree planted becomes part of a living legacy of climate action led by young people,” she said.
Bulus explained that the Earth Lungs Project was designed to plant hundreds of trees across communities, thereby expanding green spaces and restoring nature through consistent tree planting and nurturing.
She added that the project also seeks to deepen community engagement by actively involving locals and students in tree planting and care, fostering shared responsibility and environmental stewardship.
“The project will also boost biodiversity, support habitats for wildlife and promote ecological balance by restoring ecosystems.
“It will equally promote cleaner air and a better future by improving air quality, strengthening climate resilience, and combating climate change for healthier communities,” Bulus said.
She emphasised that the “future of climate action begins in our schools — and these young Green Savers are already leading the way.”
“Together, the Green Savers Clubs and the Earth Lungs Project will empower young people to plant hope, grow life, and restore our earth — one seedling, one school, and one community at a time.” (NAN)
F.O
Tags: BTG climate