Chris Packham inspires hundreds of schoolchildren as Sheffield hosts national climate assembly

Molly Williams
By Molly Williams
Published 24th Oct 2022, 12:27 BST
Updated 24th Oct 2022, 12:27 BST
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Chris Packham gave an inspirational talk to hundreds of children at a Sheffield school as part of the national Schools’ Climate Assembly, saying it was time to listen to young people.

King Edward VII Upper School, in Broomhall, hosted more than 1,500 pupils from 40 schools across the country for the second annual event (SCA) on Thursday.

Wildlife TV presenter Mr Packham gave a stirring speech.

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Chris Packham gave an inspirational talk to hundreds of children at a Sheffield school as part of the national Schools’ Climate Assembly, saying it was time to listen to young people.Chris Packham gave an inspirational talk to hundreds of children at a Sheffield school as part of the national Schools’ Climate Assembly, saying it was time to listen to young people.
Chris Packham gave an inspirational talk to hundreds of children at a Sheffield school as part of the national Schools’ Climate Assembly, saying it was time to listen to young people.

Speaking ahead of the event, he said: “It’s time not only to listen to young people but to trust them to make decisions about their future.”

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The day also featured talks by Friends of the Earth CEO Miriam Turner, activists Mikaela Loach and Maxwell Ayamba, TV presenter Megan McCubbin, Scarlett Westbrook of Teach the Future and former Greenpeace director John Sauven.

There was a spoken word performance from Sile Sibanda, of BBC Radio Sheffield, various workshops and a special UK showing of Billie Eilish’s new climate documentary Overheated.

Gregory Nasmyth, environmental campaigner who founded SCA last year, said: “[The event] is an essential space to empower and educate our next generation, helping them to navigate the changes that will be coming in the next months, years and decades.”

Chris Packham gave an inspirational talk to hundreds of children at a Sheffield school as part of the national Schools’ Climate Assembly, saying it was time to listen to young people.Chris Packham gave an inspirational talk to hundreds of children at a Sheffield school as part of the national Schools’ Climate Assembly, saying it was time to listen to young people.
Chris Packham gave an inspirational talk to hundreds of children at a Sheffield school as part of the national Schools’ Climate Assembly, saying it was time to listen to young people.

Pupils came from all over including Ashford, Wakefield, Chester, Abingdon, Doncaster, Kendal, Huddersfield, London, Stockport, Coventry and Birmingham.

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At the end of the day, pupils and speakers joined together to make three demands of the UK government.

These were for there to be: 100 percent renewable power by 2030; climate education for everyone with support and time for teachers to deliver this; and investment in training, apprenticeships and jobs that tackle the climate emergency.

Currently, the national Climate Change Act commits the UK government by law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least net zero by 2050.

Related topics:Chris PackhamSheffield