From Dublin Beaches to Global Classrooms: The Story Behind Picker Pals by Patrick Jackson

Episode Summary: In this episode of CarbonSessions, we chat with Patrick Jackson, the creative mind behind “Picker Pals,” an innovative environmental program for children. Patrick shares his journey from creating educational materials to becoming an environmental advocate.  Patrick discusses the Picker Pals initiative, which engages children in litter-picking activities through a compelling mix of storytelling, practical activities, and classroom tools. With Picker Pals now active in 70% of primary schools in Ireland and expanding globally, Patrick emphasizes the importance of empowering children and communities to take action against environmental degradation. Listen to this episode to learn about: The origins and impact of Patrick’s eye-catching “cloak of debris” How Picker Pals integrates environmental education with hands-on activities The challenges and successes in spreading the Picker Pals program across different countries Patrick’s creative approach to engaging children in environmental stewardship through storytelling and interactive learning Expanding Picker Pals to schools and communities worldwide Insights into Patrick's creative process and future plans for the program   Connect with Patrick:  Picker Pals Website Picker Pals on Instagram Patrick Jackson on LinkedIn Watch Patrick in Action   -----  Featuring Carbon Almanac Contributors Leekei Tang, Jenn Swanson, Tania Marien, Kristina Horning and Barbara Orsi.  Leekei is a fashion business founder, a business coach, an international development expert, and podcaster from Paris, France.  From Langley in British Columbia, Canada, Jenn is a Minister, Coach, Writer, and community Connector, helping people help themselves. From Riverside, California, Tania is an independent environmental education professional and hosts and produces The Talaterra Podcast.   Kristina has a background in architecture and engineering. Currently in Prague (that it is where she is originally from) and her base is US. Based in Milan, Italy, Barbara is a mom and marketing executive who has been actively involved in building a better and brighter future for our planet since November 2021. She has contributed to the Carbon Almanac and serves as the Italian coordinator for the Carbon Almanac Network. During fall 2023, she co-founded Generation Carbon Italy, the Italian spin-off of the Carbon Almanac Network  ----- For more information on the project and to order your copy of the Carbon Almanac (one of Amazon best-selling books of the year!), visit thecarbonalmanac.org Want to join in the conversation? Visit thecarbonalmanac.org/podcasts and send us a voice message on this episode or any other climate-related ideas and perspectives. Don’t Take Our Word For It, Look It Up! -----  The CarbonSessions Podcast is produced and edited by Leekei Tang, Steve Heatherington and Rob Slater.