CREATIVE Warwickshire kids have been praised for their commitment to fighting the climate crisis, after the winners and runners up of a competition were announced.
Pupils from schools in Rugby, Stratford, Leamington and Southam were among those to receive prizes in Young Green Shoots, a climate change competition held by Warwickshire County Council (WCC) and Coventry City Council.
Children and young people were challenged to show what being a climate hero meant to them. The competition generated over 200 entries from pupils aged four to 15, with pieces ranging from essays, poetry, photographs, paintings and even a sculpture.
The winners of each age category were Elina Williams from Ettington Primary School, Shirley Jo Slade from Tysoe C of E Primary School, and Oliver Peake from Lawrence Sheriff School.
Runners-up included Penny Williams from Lillington Primary School, Lily Finch from Southam St James School, Martha Pearson from Alcester Grammar School, and Emilia Hone from North Leamington School.
The entries were judged by Ed Green from Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, David Mond from Warwickshire Climate Alliance, and Laaiqah Iqbal from Warwickshire Youth Council.
The schools of the three winners will be given £2,500 from Warwickshire County Council’s Green Shoots Community Fund for their school to spend on climate change projects.
Each child received a sustainable goody-bag containing an eco-friendly water bottle, wildflower seeds, and Greta Thunberg’s book ‘No One is Too Young to Make a Difference’ for children aged 12-15 and ‘Little People, Big Dreams’ for children aged 4-10.
WCC’s environment spokeswoman Coun Heather Timms and the competition judges met some of the winners at Ryton Pools Country Park to thank them and award their prizes.
Coun Timms said: “From the number of entries we received, and the detail that went into each and every one of them, we can firmly say that children and young people care deeply about climate change and the climate crisis.
“This is why we created Young Green Shoots – for them to learn about climate change through creativity and to contribute to discussions about the environment and become advocates for positive change.
“As part of our commitment to creating a Child Friendly Warwickshire, we must all come together to listen to children and young people, give them a voice and inspire them to take action and create lasting and positive changes for their future. The £2,500 in funding will help to support this, but we will also take onboard all of the amazing ideas to tackle the climate crisis we received through this competition.
“Congratulations to the winners and runners up, and well done to everyone who entered – their efforts will be the legacy in making sure Warwickshire is well on the way to achieving our climate change ambitions.”
Visit www.warwickshireclimateemergency.org.uk for more details on Warwickshire’s commitment to the climate crisis.
Visit www.childfriendlywarwickshire.co.uk to find out more about Child Friendly Warwickshire.
