The Eco Conference was led by Peter Milne, founder, and director of Target4Green, who hosted several workshops and talks throughout the day. His message was clear: we need the leadership, energy and power of young people to address the climate change crisis, since we cannot rely on our politicians, and must listen to and empower this generation in order to save our planet.

In his opening presentation he shared a handwritten letter he had received from Sir David Attenborough thanking him for his work with schools and communities and sending a message to all young people to act. There was also an inspiring video from Bill McKibben, author, environmentalist, activist and founder of 350.org, an international movement working to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy.

Other speakers included Matt Larsen-Daw, Education Manager for WWF-UK; Mark Haviland, Vice-Chair of the Marine Conversation Society; and Dr Jeff Allan, a specialist in battery and hydrogen vehicles.

Between presentations and group activities and discussions, students visited an exhibition of local eco organisations and companies. Stalls represented Ealing Transition – a group working on practical solutions to the global climate emergency; Friends of the Earth, the Green Party, and Roots & Shoots, a global education programme inspired by primatologist Jane Goodall. (Some of our youngest pupils got a sneak preview ahead of the older delegates!)