Pupil Power Roadshow

In the UK, innovative programmes to train and empower student activists are giving them a platform to speak and act

Supported by UKSSN and PPL PWR, young activists from across the UK formed a youth hub for COP26. The training and discussions they received ranged from energy storage and hydrogen fuel cells to the mental health impacts of the climate crisis in forms as diverse as technical demonstrations through to multimedia displays.

Letters from our future (2021) by @Tan-YiUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

It’s their future we’re saving so let’s listen

Through the creative arts, Tan-Yi from London explores how the future could look. Listening to the perspectives of young people and children about the climate crisis is crucial because it is their future we are all working to save. 

When writing the script for my video, I wanted to convey a sense of both grief and hope, two emotions that coexist when I think about the climate crisis and the future. (...) I also wanted to write about a world in which some things had gotten better, where hope could still exist because we had seen how change was possible.

Tan-Yi, London Schools Eco Network on 'Letter from the future'.

Views from classroom: Aadarsh (2020-2021) by @UK Schools Sustainability NetworkUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

Views from the classroom: Aadarsh

As UKSSN students discussed, there's an urgent need for environmental education. Here Aadarsh from the London Schools Eco Network reflects on his sense of responsibility.

Views from classroom: Elyse (2020-2021) by @UK Schools Sustainability NetworkUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

Listening and being heard

For Elsye, from Berkshire Schools Eco Network, the experience of sharing a platform was revelatory. Momentum and concern are both growing.

If you could ask for anything...

The Transform Our World Youth Climate Summit 2020 gathered young people for over 160+ events on the climate crisis. It asked the 7000 students and teachers who attended virtually to identify 5 Youth Climate Calls that they would put to businesses and governments.

Carbon sinks, regenerative agriculture, sustainable schools

The youth activists came together to issue a call to action targeting conservation, agriculture, sustainable schools, green jobs and the circular economy.

Youth Climate Calls for governments and businesses by @Transform Our World @Global Action Plan UKUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

And they were not the only ones

UKSSN students across the UK are also calling for climate-positive change in schools.

Students are calling for climate-positive actions from school (2020-2021) by @UK Schools Sustainability NetworkUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

Introducing the UK Schools Sustainability Network

Dr Jessica Tipton, founder of the UK Schools Sustainability Network, explains the reasons for bringing students together from different schools to work on environmental projects and campaigns.

Introducing the UK Schools Sustainability Network (2021) by Jessica TiptonUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

Taskforce by @PPL PWRUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

Student climate taskforces

In the run up to COP,  UKSSN students on the Pupil Power Roadshow were trained by PPL PWR about topics including energy storage and hydrogen fuel cells, valuing our green spaces and the mental health impact of the climate crisis.

PPL PWR opener (2020-10) by @James MolkenthinUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

Making change by making change makers

Making positive change means making change makers. From sharing sustainable knowledge to empowering people to run projects they are passionate about, PPL PWR is about welcoming people, building a community that shares a vision to make the world greener, healthier and happier.

Words & Pictures for Your World (2021) by Video Asset - Claire Edwards, Content - StudentsUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

Shout out for the planet

We at Planetary International and UKSSN asked students to raise their voices for the planet using art, poetry and photography. The Pupil Power Roadshow gives voice, not only to the students present in-person but also to the perspectives of school students across the country through videos, art, photos and poems.

Valuing nature and biodiversity

Meet the new wild youth advocating for a different approach to nature and biodiversity.

Rewilding – Why Should You Care? (2020) by University of Sussex/Planetary InternationalUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

What if our relationship with nature changes

To restore deteriorated ecosystems and our relationship with nature, sometimes the best thing we can do is nothing. Here young people share their thoughts about rewilding with Planetary International and University of Sussex.

Some are already taking positive action to rewild in their school grounds... by @UK Schools Sustainability NetworkUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

We could all use a little bit of wild

Some are already taking positive action to rewild in their school grounds. Abyan gives us a tour of a Royal Horticultural Show garden display from Liverpool's St Vincent's Specialist School for Sensory Impairment.

The importance of community

Community is key to the Pupil Power Roadshow. Whether it's a commitment to climate justice or concrete actions to successfully support youth delegates from the global south to attend COP, young people reflected on the role that we play as individuals and together.

Climate change and what you can do to help! (2020-2021) by @OliviaUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

One hand clapping and other follies

This stop motion animation video made by A-Level student Olivia explains how each one of us can make a difference. In her words, for real change to happen, everyone needs to be involved. It's like an orchestra, you can't play a whole concert with one violin.

Empowerment, influence, resilience and empathy - Dr Anna Hands, Director of PPL PWR, talks about the importance of community in tackling the climate crisis.

"Reaching a greener future faster together." (2021-06) by @Dr Anna HandsUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

Empowerment, influence, resilience and empathy - Dr Hands

Director of PPL PWR, Dr Anna Hands, talks about the benefits of community in bringing about the sustainable behaviour change necessary to tackle the climate crisis.

So we are deeply thankful to our community, to all the volunteers, partner organisations, schools and school pupils who are making the Pupil Power Roadshow possible.

Pupil Power Roadshow partner organisations, @PPL PWR, From the collection of: United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
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Credits: Story

@UKSchoolSusty
@PPLPWROrg
@globalactplan 
@Planetary_Int
@RoySocChem
@UCellFC

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views and opinions of the UN Climate Change Conference COP26. The mere appearance of the story on this website does not constitute an endorsement by the UN Climate Change Conference COP26. The UN Climate Change Conference COP26 does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of third party material included in the story featured.

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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