Climate and Biodiversity Forum for Sutherland Shire Students

Sutherland Shire Council held it’s 3rd Youth Week Climate and Biodiversity Forum for local and guest high school students at Cronulla RSL on April 4th.

Held to commence the Sutherland Shire Youth Week programme of events, the Forum this year was the largest yet with 65 students and their teachers coming along to learn about climate change, biodiversity loss, and how to be leaders in this space.

The students designed their personal action compass where they considered the confluence of inclusion, planet and adventure as a source for inspiration on climate and broader environmental action. It also gave the students space to understand their identities, communities, connections, and how to leverage those for what they would like to achieve, but also identify skills or connections to improve.

In following workshops, the students co-created a Youth Statement on the Climate Crisis (see below) which will be incorporated into Council Climate and environmental strategies.

Arts-based activities to promote positive mental health and counter eco-anxiety, design sessions centred on rewilding the urban environment, and outdoor trivia were also incorporated to appeal to different interests and concerns of the students.

It was extremely satisfying to see the knowledge being shared between the presenters and the students, but also the conversations that happened between Council staff, teachers, and facilitators.

The following schools were represented on the day: Cronulla High School, De la Salle Catholic College Caringbah, Endeavour Sports High School, Lucas Heights Community School, Port Hacking High School, Sylvania High School and Georges River Guest School St George Girls High.