Redbridge students unite for change in borough’s first Youth Climate and Sustainability Forum

Redbridge’s first ever Youth Climate and Sustainability Forum saw eco-minded students from around the borough team up for a day of activities, interactive workshops and panel discussions promoting greener living in the borough.

Ten local schools came together to take part in the networking event aimed at students interested in tackling climate change, or who were already leading advocates for greener living.

Led by Redbridge Council, the event gave the youngsters the chance to network with each other, share green achievements and ideas, whilst broadening their skills and knowledge through workshop activities and discussions with a panel of leading environmental experts.

The whole day event took place at Redbridge Town Hall on Friday 17 November, kicking off with a welcome by Redbridge’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Jo Blackman.

Inaaya Ijaz, a student from Isaac Newton Academy in Seven Kings, was among those who attended, but was also part of a live interview at the event following her inspirational green achievements.

The young environmentalist spoke about her campaign to eradicate plastic use at her school, how she got involved in climate activism and her ambitions towards creating a greener future.

As well as being part of Eco-Leaders, the Gardening Club, and Student Leadership Team at her school, 13-year-old Inaaya is also the Chief Voice Officer for youth-led charity Kids Against Plastic and hosts her own environment themed radio show, which is broadcast in Redbridge.

Speaking about her involvement in Redbridge’s Youth Climate and Sustainability Forum, Inaaya said: “The forum was an amazing idea. It was really inspirational to me and all the other students. We learnt so much, including how to be more sustainable in our everyday lives and lead eco-friendly lifestyles. I’d love for more opportunities like this, and would definitely be the first one to put my hand up if another opportunity like this arose.”

As well as opportunities to network at the Forum, students also participated in activities and workshops run by individuals and organisations involved in environmental work.

It included a Team Repair Workshop demonstrating repair skills that can help fix broken items so they can be reused, instead of discarded. It was all hands on deck as the students repaired a games console as part of the interactive workshop.

Other workshops included an art session, and an exploration of biodiversity in Redbridge. Students also heard from, and quizzed, a panel of green experts from Earthwatch Europe, Team Repair, and Redbridge Council.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Jo Blackman said: “It was great to welcome so many inspiring young people to the town hall to discuss how we can work together to tackle the climate crisis. There is really impressive work underway by young people across the borough and it is critical that they are at the heart of our efforts to tackle the climate crisis.”

Giving feedback about the event students from across the borough explained why they wanted to get involved, what they thought of the forum, and what their drive was for tackling climate change.

Lucie, from Woodbridge High School in Woodford Green, said: “When you grow up and find out about climate change it is scary, you want to change it. When I saw the visible effects of climate change on the Earth, it was a wow moment, it gave me and the next generation the spark to want to change this.”

Isabelle, from Ursuline Academy in Ilford, said: “The Forum brought the different school communities together to create ideas that connect us to improve sustainability across our whole community.”

James, from Caterham High School in Clayhall, said: “I enjoyed the activities especially the one where we fixed the game console. It taught us not to throw everything away, as most stuff is fixable, it teaches us about resilience and recycling.

Redbridge’s Youth Climate and Sustainability Forum is an extension of the Council’s on-going work with local communities, including its young people, to tackle the climate emergency, and create a greener and more biodiverse borough to live in. Find out more: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/about-the-council/climate-change/

It also supports the borough’s work towards becoming a UNICEF accredited child friendly borough. Redbridge partnered with the global children’s charity under their Child Friendly Cities & Communities initiative to make the borough a child friendly community.

The global programme encourages local services to commit to fulfilling children’s rights. The aim is to create a city or community where the voices, needs, priorities and the rights of children play an integral part in public policies, programmes, and decision-making processes.

Find out more about Child Friendly Redbridge: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/childfriendly/

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