Year 6 pupils from five Hammersmith & Fulham primary schools put their climate activism hats on last month at our 21st Children's Environmental Parliament.
The 10 to 11-year-olds, from St John XXIII, St Augustine's, John Betts, Thomas's Academy and The London Oratory School (Junior House), each presented on a topic of their choosing to a packed Kensington Town Hall.
They were joined by their peers from Kensington & Chelsea, making an audience of more than 80 on the day.
Cllr Alex Sanderson, Cabinet Member for Children and Education said:
Last month was the warmest March on record, and we're seeing the effects of climate change every day in our borough. It's great to see the next generation already taking care of H&F and doing their bit to help us all make real change. Their passion is helping us build a stronger, safer, kinder place to live and supporting our work to become the UK's greenest borough."
Sharing their passion
The students chose and researched their presentation topics with the help of Urbanwise.London and council officers. They were also supported by community groups and environmental organisations including Hammersmith Community Garden Association, Our Lady of Fatima Church and Thames River Project.
They then chose two representatives to present their findings on the day.
Topics included caring for local water habitats – with John Betts' Operation Wildlife Pond and Thomas's Academy's Saving the River Thames – and how to end food waste and plastic pollution.
John Betts' Year 6s reported:
"We really enjoyed our research activities, particularly visiting the greenhouses and pond dipping in Ravenscourt Park. We hope that some of our ideas are taken on and are looking forward to seeing the biodiversity and enjoying it with our friends and family."
Moya O'Hara, director of Urbanwise.London, added:
"The event gives children the opportunity to have their say on local and global issues and to present their own ideas and solutions to decision makers."
You can see photos of each pair presenting here.
And the winners are…
Up for grabs on the day were four awards, three – for presentation skills, research and environmental action – awarded by a judging panel, and a final special award voted for by the students.
H&F pupils won two. The London Oratory (Junior House) received the Presentation Award for their work #BuildforBugs and John Betts was named winner of the Environmental Action Award.
Linda Quinn, science lead teacher at London Oratory (Junior House), added:
"Our Year 6s were thrilled to win the presentation award. The children know that their hard work and creativity was shared with many people and that they can make a difference."
Supporting H&F's biodiversity
In 2019 H&F declared a climate and ecological emergency and set the ambitious goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions.
We're working to grow the greenest borough and have 19 award-winning green flag parks. Find out more about them, and some of our best green spaces here.
Or check out our fourth Tiny Forest, planted in Frank Banfield Park last month.
