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Student Lauren Roberts-Turner shares what its like working on the Greener Schools project with SOS UK, RAFT and the Greater London Authority helping to retrofit schools
Across SOS UK and other youth and social justice organisations I have had a range of climate and socially conscious roles, but none I have enjoyed as much as working as a facilitator on this project.
Alongside the retrofit of 48 London schools as part of the GLA Greener Schools project I have visited 7 schools to deliver a climate education workshop. In these workshops I get the chance to talk to the students about the work that happening, why it is happening, the science behind climate change and what they can do in their own lives and their communities to help tackle the climate crisis.
The inclusion of engagement within an architectural retrofit project has something I have felt incredibly proud to be part of, as it means that from the off my educational workshops are backed by meaningful climate action. It also signals a respect for children as collaborators in their futures who deserve to understand what’s happening in their environment, their schools and the wider world.
Getting to deliver these workshops has given me the huge privilege of getting to visit six primary, and 1 secondary, schools across the city and see the amazing work that is already going on to educate students about climate change and to ensure the schools themselves are as green as possible. What I have found everywhere I have been is an incredible commitment from teachers to making a difference on this issue and a real interest in the topic from students and a focus on making change happen.
I am genuinely inspired by the students and teachers I have met. Seeing each school collect their certificate at the celebration event at City Hall was a joy to behold. I would love to see the retrofit programme and the climate education work be rolled out across the country.
Every child deserves to go to a school that is prepared for and part of tackling climate change and to feel empowered to be part of positive climate action.