Sennockian 2019-2020 | Page 72

CLIMATE Strikes – What next ?
As 2019 media filled with news of increasingly numerous climate strikes and the activities of powerful figures like Greta Thunberg , Gabby Tan ( Upper Sixth ), decided to host a climate panel evening in early November to discuss the topic , ‘ Strikes – what next ?’ We wanted to hear from experts about the best way forward in tackling the climate crisis .
Panellists for the Climate Action Evening included Luke Murphy , the Head of the UK Environmental Justice Commission ; Tim Gee , a human rights campaign manager from Amnesty International ; Jacqueline Hemery , PwC ’ s Global Corporate Responsibility Environment Manager ; Jo Anderson , from Carbon Tanzania ; and me in my capacity as a student climate activist . It was chaired by Year 11 student Kieran Kiggell and Sixth Former Ellie Gilbert-Bair .
Valuable information was gained surrounding the greatest challenges environmentalists face and how they have , and will , surmount them . It was especially fascinating to hear the other panellists ’ views on the injustices caused by climate change , and how we could go about decarbonising the economy without displacing vulnerable workers . Solutions discussed included governmental investment in public transport , subsidising clean energy and increasing infrastructure ’ s insulation . A point that is close to my own heart was the reformation of the education system , with the recently launched TeachTheFuture campaign , where integrating the social , political and economic factors of the climate crisis into our schools is vital . Due to the audience being mostly students , parents and teachers , many said that they were able to relate this to their own school career and have now realised the lack of a holistic climate education nationally .
The audience was enthusiastic in asking questions and was both engaged and informed about the topic . The climate crisis can feel daunting and scary , especially for students and younger generations ; we hope that this event was able to bring the often neglected , interesting and positive solutions to light . Both the audience and panellists were overwhelmingly positive about the experience – everyone felt like they learned something ! Thank you to the audience for their insightful questions , the panellists for sharing their expertise , and Gabby Tan for initiating and organising this event .
Serena Murdoch , Lower Sixth
66 SERVICE AND SOCIAL IMPACT