Children are being let down by boring geography lessons which fail to teach them about vital global issues such as climate change, a report by Ofsted has claimed.

However, youngsters in Bradford schools believe they are bucking the national trend by stressing the importance of the subject and raising eco-awareness.

Pupils at Yorkshire Martyrs Catholic College (YMCC) are helping to run Black Smoke, an international project which aims to raise awareness of the greenhouse effect.

Alongside peers in Norway and USA, they are selling T-shirts, badges and postcards they have designed to sell across the city.

Amber Edwards, 15, of Wibsey, said: "We want to save the planet and need to make people more aware of global warming. People are not doing enough. Hopefully this project will give the issue more prominence."

Alyce Kelly, 14, of Odsal, who is involved in the Black Smoke project and is currently studying GCSE geography, said she did not agree with the inspectors' report.

"We have looked at all the causes of global warming in class. But I do think not enough people are paying attention to what is happening," she added.

YMCC science teacher Tom Fay, who is helping to co-ordinate the project, said: "The idea is to spread the word amongst other schools in Bradford before the project goes nationwide from early spring."

Pupils at Nab Wood secondary in Heaton also plan to help peers and members of their community switch on to green issues.

More than 20 Year Ten boys set to tackle a B-Tec diploma in horticulture from September have been tasked with transforming the way the school is run.

They will ensure waste products are recycled, manage a wildlife area, grow veg for the school kitchen, regulate energy consumption and launch a campaign to highlight the importance of eco-awareness to peers and the community.

Mathew Carter, 14, of Clayton, said: "We have heard about climate change and wanted to help. We are excited about helping to change things and want to tell parents and members of the local community more about it."

Phil Haigh, the school's head of geography, said the subject required "a greater prominence in schools than it currently gets on a national basis", but added Nab Wood pupils were very aware of prominent topics threatening their future.

"We have just done a major project on what happens when the oil runs out," added Mr Haigh.

To find out more, contact Mr Fay at YMCC on (01274) 681262 or visit www.blacksmoke.org