LAST week I was married and it was a wonderful day. My sister had spent days schooling my three-year-old niece Aimee in the art of petal throwing, practising with torn up newspaper and improvised baskets in their front room... but even the best-laid plans go awry.

We didn't prepare for the injunction of Canon Wright to my page boy to help with this task just as we were to set off down the aisle. He took on this new responsibility with gusto and brought the procession into church to a halt half way down the aisle as they stopped to debate a matter of urgency in the art of petal throwing. It was perfect.

Aimee is at the "why" stage, constantly asking questions. I love it. It's the same when I visit schools and am often asked really deep and complex questions and the children won't be fobbed off by anything less than a sincere and honest answer. They can be more frightening than Paxman.

One of the continual concerns I hear repeated when meeting younger constituents in schools and colleges is about climate change, recycling and use of energy. So I was absolutely delighted when I saw the choir from one of our local schools, Godwin Junior, on the M&S website urging us all not to use plastic bags when shopping. The school had been one of those that joined me in Stratford Shopping Centre last year promoting the use of fabric, reusable bags.

The choir, working with Newham-based social change movement We Are What We Do, has written a song called Don't Use Plastic Bags Any More. It urges us all to "buy a bag that will last for years" instead. The chorus says that "small actions by all ages soon adds up to big changes" - which is a message we can all understand and do something about. You can see our talented and environmentally-aware local stars on the M&S website or YouTube.

Another school taking an active interest in our "small actions", Curwen Primary, is testing my carbon footprint. I know that I will not be let off with any dissembling and I will be held personally to account for all the bad practices I undoubtedly have.

I will have to fully recognise the bits about my behavior that I will need to change. It is a bit like losing weight. You have to face up to a number before it can be reduced - a painful but necessary part of the process.

The environment was a subject that was discussed when I attended Newham Sixth Form College's BBC Question Time competition. The competition aims to give participants an understanding of democratic processes, leadership, responsibility and ensuring that diverse social groups get a voice.

Knowledge of, and engagement in politics encourages our young people to explore concepts like impartiality, power, prejudice and the moral code underlying our key social and cultural issues. Teamwork, talking and listening to each other leads to collaboration and mutual respect, and gets young people to explore their own views and those of others.

Newham Sixth Form was among the 12 national finalists. The young people I saw taking part seemed thrilled and inspired by the debate. For all our sakes it is important that our young people continue to be interested, engaged and sometimes leading community projects - for this is the basis of all politics.

I continue to be amazed and inspired by our young people. We should never be too old to learn, and the innovative and unconventional approach of the youngest people in our community still has much to teach us all.

If you have any comments on this, or other issues, write to me at Lyn Brown MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA, email me at brownl@parliament.uk or call my office on (020) 7219 6999.