Network Rail and Southeastern are working with early-stage environmental learning group Earth Cubs to launch new educational videos for children.

Earth Cubs uses positive storytelling and entertainment to make efforts to save the planet exciting, entertaining and achievable. The new video uses a bold, animated style and features the characters Geezer Rats. The video also includes songs.

The video focuses on sustainability and is aimed at kids aged between three and eleven.

Educators can use it and other online materials as a learning resource that will help to tackle complex subjects that children may not be familiar with.

Network Rail’s Southern Region has been working on environmental issues with train operator Southeastern since 2022.

The two companies are working to combine their sustainability strategies and to identify and implement ways they can work together to make the region they operate in cleaner, greener, more socially responsible and resilient to climate change.

Network Rail and Southeastern hope that the fun video will encourage children to take an interest in both sustainability and the railway, which will contribute to reducing waste, pollution and carbon and increasing biodiversity and community engagement.

Other efforts by Southeastern to promote sustainability include using regenerative braking on its trains and promoting cycling by providing facilities for cyclists at its stations.

“We know travelling by train is already the most sustainable and environmentally friendly way to get around, particularly on our all-electric railway. But, we are always keen to do more and try new and innovative ways of inspiring our young people and educating them about the importance of sustainable rail travel and its environmental benefits.

“We are delighted to be teaming up with Earth Cubs and continuing our joint working with Network Rail to bring these fantastic educational tools to teachers, parents, carers and children and make what can be a complicated or scary subject, that little bit easier and less intimidating.”

Victoria Raggio, Environmental Specialist at Southeastern