Eco-conscious students from a Hull secondary school visited Westminster to share their inspirational work to combat climate change.
Members of The Boulevard Academy’s Eco Committee travelled to London to meet with Hull West and Haltemprice MP Emma Hardy, who is also the Floods Minister, at the Houses of Parliament. The students enjoyed a tour and spoke about the projects they have led which are now inspiring their classmates and teachers to play their part in tackling the climate crisis.
The Boulevard Academy won a competition organised by the region’s Oh Yes! Net Zero campaign, which tasked Hull and East Yorkshire schools with completing sustainable initiatives to earn points. Students have been involved in projects ranging from litter picking and upcycling, to delivering climate assemblies to fellow pupils.
Emma Hardy MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Water and Flooding, said: “As a country we are on a mission to reach net zero, and Hull and East Yorkshire sits at the heart of that which means jobs and investment to our local area. I am so pleased we have initiatives like Oh Yes! Net Zero working with young people in our area and bringing together public and private sectors to collaborate and seize the opportunities which will arise in the transition to net zero.
“It was wonderful to welcome students from The Boulevard Academy to Parliament. Their passion for sustainability was clear to see, and they are already having a significant impact both at their school and our community.”
(Image: R&R Studio)
While at Westminster, the group entered the House of Lords and learnt about the workings of UK Parliament. The students were joined by Cllr Linda Tock, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for children’s services, and Mary Meredith, assistant director for learning and skills at the council.
Lara is a member of The Boulevard Academy’s Eco Committee and was part of the group that travelled to Westminster. She said: “I joined the Eco Committee because I wanted to spend my time on something that really interested me.
“My generation will be the people who can make a difference in the future, so it’s down to us to change the world. I asked Emma a question about how we bring climate change more into the national curriculum, and she recommended I write a letter to the Secretary of State.
“That’s something I’m definitely going to do, and our next project at the Eco Committee is to create a new school garden for everyone to enjoy.” The Boulevard Academy was one of three Hull schools to attend a Climate Changemakers workshop, delivered by the Living with Water partnership, when students made their own miniature sustainable drainage systems and learnt about the role they play in controlling the flow of water and reducing flood risk.
Grace Chapman, programme lead for Oh Yes! Net Zero’s Climate Changemakers project, said: “The trip to Westminster was an experience the students will remember for the rest of their lives. It provided a unique opportunity to speak to a government minister about the issues that mean so much to them, and to talk about the work they’ve been doing to address them.”
Last year, six climate-conscious schools, including The Boulevard Academy, received at least £10,000 of funding to help them accurately measure and reduce their carbon footprint. Jointly funded by Oh Yes! Net Zero founding partners Reckitt and Hull City Council, a number of student-led initiatives, ranging from rainwater harvesting and recycling to biodiversity enhancement, also received backing.
To find out more about Oh Yes! Net Zero’s Climate Changemakers programme, visit ohyesnetzero.uk
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