PRIMARY school pupils inspired by Sir David Attenborough’s speech at COP26 have held their own climate change conference.

Each year group at St Edburg’s CE Primary School in Bicester took part in two weeks of activities at the school.

Classes focused on different environmental matters, such as flooding and wildfires, and came up with their own ideas on how to protect the planet.

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One pupil, Joshua Hodgins, said: “We have decided to take action. Each class is writing to someone who we think might be able to help – for example, local councillors, Members of Parliament and people in the area.

“We have decided we are going to try to reduce our waste emissions by doing different things such as not wasting food at lunchtime, turning off electricity when we aren’t using it and not wasting paper.

“We also want to try and become a plastic-free school by 2023.

“Another idea we had is to try and persuade people not to use single-use items of plastic in their lunch, like yoghurt pots.”

Fellow pupil Lily Hallatt added: “We were inspired by David Attenborough and watched his speech at COP26.

“We decided to write our own speeches to inspire other children like us to help make a difference.

“There are seven billion people on this planet so surely together we can make a difference if we act now.”

Bicester Advertiser: Pupils at St Edburg’s CE Primary School in Bicester held their own climate change conference. Picture: Ed NixPupils at St Edburg’s CE Primary School in Bicester held their own climate change conference. Picture: Ed Nix

“We have learned so much about how the planet is getting slowly hotter,” said Georgia Drummey.

“We feel that we can make a difference just by doing little things like not using as much plastic in school. One small shimmer can make a difference.”

Ella Brennan said she hopes more children will make a difference to protect the planet.

She said: “I feel sad about the state of the planet. I’ve really enjoyed being an activist and hope more children like us feel passionate enough to make some changes.”

Mohamed Sanyang summarised: “I never thought that children could be activists – I feel really happy that my actions might help change the world.”

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Year 6 teacher Jane Leaver said it was key that pupils led the initiative.

She said: “We wanted to something as a whole school, with the aim of making children feel like they can be heard.

“Classes have done different things, including writing to councils and asking parents if they can cut down on plastics.

“The pupils were very inspired by David Attenborough’s speech at COP26 and wrote their own speeches.

“It was really important for them to have ownership and take it in the direction they wanted to.

“The children really took everything on board and know every little thing they do can help.”

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