Schools Climate Assembly 2022
In October 2022, we reconvened in Sheffield for the second Schools Climate Assembly, hosted by King Edward VII Upper School.
“We have real hope in two distinct forms. Firstly, we’ve got solutions to most of our problems. Secondly, we’ve got young people. People who think clearly and aren’t encumbered with old ideas. People who speak clearly and speak their minds.
— Chris Packham, leading naturalist and wildlife TV presenter
In October 2022, we brought schools back together for the second Schools Climate Assembly in Sheffield. In partnership with Friends of the Earth, the day featured interactive workshops delivered by organisations at the heart of the climate movement, as well as talks from campaigners and experts including Chris Packham, Miriam Turner and Mikaela Loach.
The day began with a panel discussion on what it means to be an activist hearing from activists, presenters, academics and campaigners on the many ways young people can engage with the climate movement.
Students also took part in workshops run that included looking at climate justice and migration with the European Network for Anti-Racism, learning about the causes and solutions of the energy crisis with Friends of the Earth and how schools can reduce their CO2 emissions with Green Schools Project.
The importance of creativity was highlighted by a poetry performance from Sile Sibanda and the day was concluded with live music from Back Chat Brass and King Edward’s own talented students.
Highlights from 2022
Guest Speakers
Chris Packham
Chris Packham is one of the UK’s leading naturalists and wildlife TV presenters, inspiring audiences young and old to take notice of, get involved with and care for our natural environment. He is currently one of the hosts of BBC 2’s Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch. His autobiography, Fingers in the Sparkle Jar was a number 1 Sunday Times best-seller. He was awarded a CBE in 2019 for services to conservation.
Miriam Turner
Miriam Turner is Co-Executive Director at Friends of the Earth (alongside Hugh Knowles); Miriam joined Friends of the Earth as Co-Innovation Director in 2017. Before that she worked for a sustainable manufacturing company called Interface, and co-founded Net-Works (now COAST4C) an award winning partnership between Interface and the Zoological Society of London, turning recycling discarded fishing nets into carpets.
Nadia Whittome
Nadia Whittome MP was elected in 2019 as the Labour Member of Parliament for Nottingham East and at 26 is Parliament’s youngest MP. Before her election, Nadia worked as a hate crime worker in Nottingham, and used to be a care worker. Alongside Teach the Future, Nadia has proposed the Climate Education Bill which is currently on its second reading in parliament.
Sile Sibanda
Sile is a Spoken Word Performer, Workshop Facilitator, Award Winning BBC Radio Presenter, Events and Q&A host. She is also the current host of the evening show on BBC Radio Sheffield. In 2022, Sile became an producer for the UK’s largest immersive storytelling experience StoryTrails, telling untold stories of people living in Sheffield.
Megan McCubbin
Megan McCubbin is a zoologist, wildlife TV presenter, conservationist and environmental activist. She most recently presented Springwatch, and Autumnwatch and is a co-founder of Wildlife Rebellion and The Self-Isolating Bird Club on social media.
Maxwell Ayamba
Maxwell A. Ayamba is a PhD research student in Black Studies at the Department of American & Canadian Studies, University of Nottingham. He is an environmental journalist, and former lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University. Maxwell is Director of the Sheffield Environmental Movement, and co-founder of the 100 Black Men Walk for Health Group.
Mikaela Loach
Mikaela Loach is a climate justice activist, co-host of The YIKES Podcast, writer and medical student based in Surrey. In 2020, Forbes, Global Citizen and BBC Woman’s Hour named Mikaela as one of the most influential women in the UK climate movement. Her work focuses on the intersections of the climate crisis with oppressive systems and making the climate movement a more accessible space.
Scarlett Westbrook
Scarlett is noted for her work in climate and education policy, and was the youngest regular policy writer in Parliamentary history. She is a spokesperson and coordinator with the UK Student Climate Network, head of political engagement at Teach the Future, a prominent figure in the Fridays for Future movement.
