School pupils from across Aberdeen today (March 3) took part in a mock forum aimed at spreading awareness of climate change amongst young people.
Fifth and sixth-year pupils from Aberdeen secondary schools were invited to take part in Mock COP26, an event aimed at developing their leadership skills, ability to work in groups and teamwork, as well as providing a greater understanding of COP26 and the climate emergency.
Pupil groups are being supported by Techfest using resources provided by the Decarbonised Gas Alliance (DGA).
Introduced at the event was the city’s first Pupil Climate Change President, Charles Turner from Aberdeen Grammar School, in a new role created for one young person, appointed by the Council, to represent pupil’s voice at Council committee and at climate change events throughout the year. Charles will also chair a new monthly pupil climate change group.
Aberdeen City Council’s education operational delivery convener, Councillor M Tauqeer Malik, said: “This event provides a marvellous opportunity for young people to engage with climate change in an authentic way and the level of awareness that we’ve seen from pupils highlights the importance to their futures of effective action on the climate crisis.
“The Council is developing robust strategies such as Net Zero Aberdeen and the Aberdeen Adapts framework and the voices of our young people will be vital in bringing these forward at pace in the coming years.
“The position of Pupil Climate Change President represents a fantastic opportunity for pupils to really engage with the Council and we are delighted to welcome Charles today in anticipation of the valuable contribution he will bring to the table over the next year”.
Pupil Climate Change President Charles Turner said: “Young people see the issues we face. Aberdeen is our city, we are going to inherit it just as our parents did and so too the generation before, but we are different.
“We are going to work to ensure that there are greener, newer, safer, more independent means of keeping Aberdeen going. The youngest generations, not only here, but everywhere in the world, must come together to imagine new possibilities, shape our own paths, and remember that at the end of the day, it’s going to be us.
“I am honoured and excited to lead pupil voice in Aberdeen as the first Pupil Climate Change President.”
Sarah Chew, managing director at TechFest said: “This event is a fantastic way to educate, inform and inspire young people on the climate challenges we face globally.
“Working as a team, the activities from today’s event opens space for debate and allows pupils to consider various solutions that could benefit the world in the future.
“Young people are our answer to solving the climate crisis and we need their talent. TechFest looks forward to working with our partner, Aberdeen City Council education department, and continuing to drive STEM engagement and deliver educational resources surrounding climate education.”