PUPILS from schools in the Lydney area came together last week to discuss issues surrounding climate change to coincide with the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.

Led by the ’Eco team’ from Severnbanks School, local primary schools including Aylburton, Bream, Lydney CofE and Primrose Hill, as well as The Dean Academy, demonstrated their commitment to the environment during the first ever ’Lydney Climate Summit’.

Each school gave a presentation at the summit, which included poems, non-chronological reports, songs and letters, and made a school pledge on how they plan to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint.

The event, which was held online, was organised by Severnbanks teacher Mrs Shona Howell and was "very well received" by all involved.

Local councillors Harry Ives and Mark Topping joined the schools to discuss the "very important topic", and Forest MP Mark Harper also had his say with a pre-recorded message of support for the schools.

The local councillors were "very impressed" by the children’s commitment and understanding of the crisis, and talked about how they can support the schools with their ambitions, with Cllr Topping even pledging to halve his car mileage.

Year 5 pupils Georgiana and Charlie from Severnbanks were chosen to read their "wonderful" letters to Boris Johnson at the summit, and Year 6 pupil Theo wrote an "outstanding" poem which made a "thoughtful" ending to the meeting.

As Year 6 leaders of the Severnbanks Eco Team, pupils Louis and Kasey-Mai were "excellent presenters" and ran the whole event.

A spokesperson for the Severnbanks Eco Team said: "We wanted to hold our own climate conference as a way of raising awareness and encouraging action amongst our school communities.

"Our climate is in crisis. At this time, there are 415.19 parts per million of atmospheric CO2 - the highest ever. This CO2 level has grave consequences if we do not make changes.  

"We all have a duty to lead our schools and homes in reducing our own carbon footprint.

"Our school pledge is to plant more trees - one of the most impactful ways of removing CO2 from the atmosphere.

"We are well on the way to completing this as we already have 15 trees coming from the Woodland Trust to plant in November 2021 and are also holding an inter-class conker tree growing challenge! 

"Thank you to all who took part and supported this fantastic event!"

In addition to their involvement in the Lydney summit, pupils from The Dean Academy also took part in an interactive lesson which was broadcast live from the COP26 conference in Glasgow.

The ’Great Big Lesson for Climate and Nature’, which was organised by the AimHi Earth Climate and Nature School, encouraged pupils to "spread the word" and educate others to help nature "bring our planet back to balance" through small actions and the communication of "big ideas".

During the lesson, AimHi Earth representatives explained to students how "we are all a part of nature, not separate from it and we all have a part to play to help guide the future direction of the planet."

At the end of the session, students were asked to fill out a ’My Pledge’ card, stating ways in which they could help play their own small part in the bid to tackle climate change.

Dean Academy pupils came up with "lots of great ideas", with one Year 11 student commenting: "I pledge to eat less red meat to stop the over production of cows. I also pledge to use less paper and use both sides of my book to reduce my paper usage."

Mr Darren Webb, Head of Science at The Dean Academy, said: "The lesson highlighted the plight of our planet and the need for everyone to work together to combat climate change.

"Sustainability forms a part of our curriculum at The Dean Academy and our students and staff got a lot out of this very important session."