Green Skills Summit

On November 15th, two teams—one from Year 8 and one from Year 9—attended the Green Skills Summit here at Ipswich High School. This geography event, attended by many other local schools, focused on global and local environmental issues in the style of the COP29 summit.

The event began with a formal debate, where our teams, representing Australia and Uganda, presented statements on the environmental situation. We voted on various topics and engaged in lively discussions with other nations, including the USA, China, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and the EU. Strong statements from high-income countries challenged our teams to think critically and develop thoughtful counterarguments. It was fascinating to witness the complexity of international environmental summits.

The second part of the day took place in the Hayworth Theatre, where six panel members from the council and industry shared insights into their roles in promoting eco-consciousness. After their presentations, the floor was open for questions. In the afternoon, we attended the environmental awareness fair, which featured 11 stalls. For example, Morgan Sindall, a leading British construction and regeneration group, hosted a fun and engaging Lego tower-building competition related to sustainability.

From representing national viewpoints on global issues to exploring practical environmental solutions at a school level, the day was packed with valuable learning. We gained a deeper understanding of our role in tackling climate change and contributing to a sustainable future.