Herefordshire pupils advise leading climate scientists

Three Herefordshire youngsters have advised leading climate scientists and policy makers on how to engage 11 to 18 year olds in tackling climate change.

Jamie Elliott, Sam Jones and Emily Young from Weobley High School presented their views at a keynote conference in London earlier this month.

They presented alongside prominent environmental speakers, which included the
Rt Reverend John Oliver, former Bishop of Hereford and Church of England spokesperson on the environment,  Owen Gaffney, science writer for the Natural Environment Research Council and David Sington, an award winning environmental film director and producer.

The youngsters told the conference about some of the projects they’ve been involved with as part of  the Eco Schools Award Scheme which is aimed at educating pupils in ways to reduce their impact on the environment, and slow down climate change.

Examples of their successes include working with a local ice cream producer to plant enough trees to compensate for the carbon dioxide emissions made by the ice cream factory.

The trio have also been involved in regular litter picks, talks to primary school children about saving energy, organising poster competitions to encourage everyone to turn lights and computers off and to generally live more sustainably. They have also generated awareness through school assemblies.

In their 20-minute presentation, they called for the government to put more resources into school eco programmes and make it mandatory for schools to achieve eco school status by a given date. 

The presentation was part of a workshop organised by environmental consultancy agency, Cambrensis.  The concluding recommendations will be sent to the Defra Committee at the House of Commons for further debate.

Jane Denny, eco school co-ordinator, said: “ Weobley High School is one of only 50 secondary schools nationwide to have been awarded a green flag for its environmental work. 

“This conference provided a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to become involved in government policy and make a real difference to the way 11-18 year olds are listened to with regard to environmental issues.”

Councillor Don Rule, cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said:
“We’re very proud of these youngsters.  They have championed environmental issues all the way through their high school life, and now they have the chanced to voice their views and represent 11-18 year olds across the whole country.”

“Let’s hope they can persuade the Flat Earth Society that we really do have a global environment problem."