Hallam: Students say 'Don't let climate change threaten our future'

L-R: Paul Bodenham, Anna and Eleanor Marshall, James Trewby, Bishop Ralph Heskett

Young people from Hallam Diocese have challenged world leaders and newly elected MPs in Britain on climate change.

As world leaders are meeting at the UN climate summit in Madrid, 50 young people from seven Catholic secondary schools gathered in Sheffield on Monday, and urged them: "Don't let climate change threaten our future". It's a message they also want the new clutch of MPs in Britain to hear loud and clear.

The 'Care for Creation Day' on 9 December was organised by Anna and Eleanor Marshall (aged 16 and 14 respectively) from Chesterfield. It was supported by Catholic Secondary Schools in the Diocese of Hallam, which covers South Yorkshire and the surrounding region, and attended by Bishop Ralph Heskett of Hallam. The conference gave 11-14 year-olds a rare opportunity for speak for themselves about the environmental crisis facing them - and, as one young person put it, to "rewrite the future".

The students found solidarity with people experiencing flooding and extreme weather in the global south. In a live video link, Joana in the Philippines gave a sobering account of how she survived Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 but lost her closest relatives as a storm surge swept inland. The young people in Sheffield joined with Joana and other survivors in pleading with those in power to force cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions, over 70 percent of which can be traced to just 100 corporations.

Summing up the views expressed by all the young people taking part, Anna and Eleanor said: "Climate change threatens our future - and yet politicians and leaders are just watching it happening. It's ruining our beautiful Earth, and not just for us - several of our young people today said they want their children to enjoy good lives too. We are saying to our new MPs: it's now or never. The clock is still ticking, you can be sure that we're not going to let this matter drop."

The Hallam Schools' 'Care for Creation Day' included students from the following secondary schools in Hallam Diocese: St Mary's, Chesterfield; Notre Dame, Sheffield; All Saints, Sheffield; McAuley Catholic High School, Doncaster; St Pius X, Wath-upon-Dearne; St Bernard's, Rotherham; and Holy Trinity, Barnsley.