Secondary school pupils across Epping had the opportunity to have their voices heard at the Climate Action Conference hosted by Epping Forest Youth Council.

Students from Epping St Johns, Davenant Foundation, Roding Valley High School and West Hatch High School joined in with quizzes, debates and listened to guest speakers at the conference on Friday, November 19.

The day focused around climate change saw a debate focused around the most affective form of protest considering Insulate Britain’s ‘disruptive’ approach.

Arguments for and against were given; including examples of how the Suffragettes broke the law to achieve votes for women and how the disruption caused for drivers and other people is counterproductive to the climate change cause.

Delegates rejected these illegal protests, voting 60 per cent to 40 per cent against the motion concluding; “This house believes the blocking of roads and other disruptions is the right way to get climate justice.”

Guest speaker, Nick Hill from Essex County Council spoke about sustainable transport and how organisations, including councils and schools, are developing travel plans to encourage active and sustainable travel like cycling and using public transport.

Nutritionist Ashleigh Howard spoke of how our diets can influence climate change.

Ms Howard spoke of how trying a mainly plant based diet that uses locally produced and seasonal food can reduce your carbon footprint.

Jess Hodges, Epping Forest Countrycare Assistant, shared what impact Climate Change is having on wildlife.

She explained in food sources and habitat due to warmer weather mean a change in the patterns for animals and plants; animals are coming out of hibernation earlier before their food source is available.