Ahead of the COP26 climate conference next month, Rye College was chosen to host the Earthbeat e-bikers, on their first port of call on a tour of European towns and cities leading to the climate conference in Glasgow from November 1-12.
Young bikers are part of this first-ever Earthbeat tour with the ‘CreatiVelos’ (e-bikes), collecting the views of young people on sustainability and climate change. Each bike is fitted with a monitor and equipped to tell the stories of young people wherever they stop.
In storytelling workshops, they spread their campaign and engage with civic dignitaries to ask what they are doing for the climate-friendly transformation of their community.
Led by members of the school’s eco club, students used the opportunity to share their views on greener actions in response to the climate emergency. Visitors were impressed by how eloquent the young people were in articulating their views and in demonstrating their passion for the creation of a more sustainable future.
Rebekah Gilbert, mayor of Rye, spent time at the college with students and the Earthbeat team and commented: “It has been a real privilege to come here today and listen to the young people of Rye talk about how environmental issues impact their lives. I am so pleased to have heard so many of their great ideas for sustainability in our community. Our future is in safe hands with these lovely young people.”
Dom Downes, head of college, added: “Being able to host the Earthbeat e-bikes has been a fantastic opportunity for our young people to really connect with the upcoming climate conference and feel their views about sustainability are being heard by world leaders.”
The Earthbeat tour continues through towns and cities across the UK before reaching Glasgow for the start of COP26 on October 31. Anyone can take part in the Earthbeat tour. Join online https://earthbeat.youth4planet.com/ or via the Youth4planet app.
Image Credits: Rye College .