Bolton Youth Environment Summit holds the key to a greener future

Bolton staged a Youth Environment Summit in which schoolchildren could explore the environmental challenges facing the planet.

Modelled on the COP 26 - the UN Climate Change Conference held in Glasgow - more than 300 children attended.

They were given a chance to put forward their own solutions to climate change and protecting the environment. 

The event was held at Premier Suite at the University of Bolton Stadium and was described as the 'start of something bigger'.

Activities young people took part in was creating seed bombs and tasting plant-based foods.

A climate change event put on for Bolton schoolchildren has been described as the start of something bigger.

Cllr Adele Warren, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "The council is committed to making the borough cleaner, greener, environmentally sustainable and more biodiverse.

“We are working with our partners to tackle climate change and work towards delivering net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

“We know young people are very interested in climate change and keen to have their voices heard.

“Events like this are so important as it shows young people that they can take an active role in shaping local efforts to protect our environment.”

The students were given a chance to put forward some of their own solutions to climate change

She said: “People in this room could be designing strategies and technology that will give us our future.”

Amanda Hulme, headteacher of Claypool Primary School, said: “I’d seen an article about children at a school in Cumbria meeting to discuss the environment.

“I thought it would be a great idea to try it in Bolton.

“The Youth Council took the idea and ran with it.”

Students enjoying one of the activities

Mrs Hulme said: “The young people today are the ones who are going to go on to make a real difference.

“This was not just one day, it is the start of something huge.”

Representatives from the Youth Council also spoke about the event and their involvement in it.

Chairperson Louise Warburton, aged 18, said: “Most decisions came through the Youth Council. There was not much that wasn’t checked with us.

The event took place in the Premier Room of the University of Bolton Stadium

“We made sure to plan activities to make sure they were interesting for young people.

“We worked alongside a lot of people with other young people. Some of the activities were tested with youth groups.”

Youth Council MP Isabel Mooney, aged 15, said: “At first it was really exciting that it has finally come together after Covid.

“It was amazing to see it.”

The members also spoke about some of the work they carry out as part of the Youth Council.