Sixth form students from across England and Wales came together for the first solution focused climate conference in Ellesmere.
Lecturers from five universities – Bangor, Liverpool Hope, Keele, Aberystwyth and Wrexham – gave up their time to deliver workshops to A Level students from Oswestry School, Coleg Cambria and Ellesmere College in a cross-disciplinary event on Thursday (OCT 8) as part of a collaborative approach to problem solving.
The conference was organised by Ellesmere College teacher Julie Leoni and held at the school. Dr Leoni’s award winning poetry collection Farmotherlands raised issues around food production and land use, and her intention with the conference was to give young people a sense of agency and time to think about possible changes they can make individually, or in their families, schools or communities.
She said: “The day was full on and there was a buzz around the rooms, a high energy, activity and engagement from everyone involved.
“It sparked exciting conversations, great questioning and a real grappling with some of the complexities around climate solutions. Workshop facilitators really challenged the students with creative activities underpinned with research and data.
“The speakers from the universities were dedicated, energetic and engaging and I am very thankful that they gave their time for free. My hope is that this is just the start of continued collaboration between staff and students at different institutions. These kinds of complex problems need people of all disciplines and skillsets to collaborate regardless of politics, age, gender, ethnicity or religion.
“To have 120 students at the first event was fantastic and I look forward to seeing how this grows and develops next year – I hope each student left not only knowing a bit more about climate solutions, but also feeling like they have more power, more agency to make a difference themselves.”
Sessions were entitled The Power of Place: How Land Shapes Life, Social Climate Solutions, Our Future Energy System Is Happening Now, Climate Action Lab and Change your Mind, and Change the Outcome. There were hands-on activities such as an online landscape design considering ecology and the future and invention workshops to look at social change and how it comes about.
Julie, who would describe herself as an imperfect environmentalist, said the idea for the conference first came about when she realised she was having the same conversation a lot.
“Over the years I’ve often spoken to pupils in school or people at workshops I run across the country. They feel overwhelmed by the environmental changes needed for the future of the planet,” she added.
“So I wanted to bring together researchers and practitioners from the universities to offer solutions which the young people can either enact themselves or influence their parents, schools and communities, to take action over.
Dr Leoni said one great example of small consistent changes leading to big difference is the fact Ellesmere College kitchen staff are highlighting food waste in the dining hall, which is leading to a decrease in what is thrown away.
Jonathan Shaw, Head of Ellesmere College said: “It was a pleasure to host such a vibrant event at Ellesmere College, bringing together young people to debate the challenges of climate change and the geopolitical forces shaping our world.
“Developing critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving skills has never been more important. Conferences such as this not only raise awareness of significant global issues but also inspire pupils to engage thoughtfully with them and contribute to finding solutions.”
To find out more about Ellesmere College visit www.ellesmere.com.
