Young people get creative for climate justice

Creative for Climate Justice entry

Source: CAFOD, Christian Aid

Talented young people from around the UK are preparing to showcase their artistic abilities and raise their voices for climate justice.

Schools up and down the country have been taking part in the initiative Creative for Climate Justice, calling for a fairer and greener future for all.

And next month (March), students will be displaying their creations and talking to MPs at an event taking place in the Houses of Parliament.

The scheme is a partnership between CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam GB, Send My Friend to School; and the Royal Society of Literature, with support from The Climate Coalition, and is aimed at helping young people raise their voices on environmental issues.

Children were tasked to come up with creative ways of sharing their opinions about climate change and their hopes for the planet - whether in drawings, poetry, sculpture or prose.

Their work has been displayed in school and community exhibits, with students also writing to their MPs, as part of the project, to raise issues of climate justice and to share their artwork.

Pieces from each school have been selected for a national online gallery, as well as the exhibition in London on Tuesday, March 4, which is aimed at urging MPs and Ministers to take action.

Josh Grear, spokesperson for the project, said: "The climate crisis is a key issue which is shaping the future of children and young people everywhere. It's more important than ever children learn, reflect, and act together to create a sustainable future for everyone.

"Get Creative For Climate Justice asks young people to use their amazing creativity and send a loud and clear climate justice message to MPs and Government Ministers.

"We hope many MPs will come and view the artwork and engage with young people around the country on the issue of climate action."

Children's author Nizrana Farook has written several books for young people, including The Girl Who Stole an Elephant and The Boy Who Saved a Bear, and also works in schools, encouraging a love of reading and writing.

She has been invited to meet some of the Creative for Climate Justice artists and said she is looking forward to seeing what they create and hearing their views on the climate crisis.

Nizrana said: "I love working with young people, encouraging them to discover new things and to appreciate the world we live in. Children's imaginations are so vivid and they have a strong sense of justice. To harness that creativity and give young people the opportunity to raise their voices like this is a powerful way of calling attention to the climate crisis, how it affects people around the world and the ways in which we can all do something to help create change - their work really challenges us as adults to think about what climate justice looks like."

Creative for Climate Justice is open to all primary and secondary schools, FE colleges and alternative provision providers in the UK. To find out more visit any of the charities' websites and look for the Youth and Schools section.

LINKS

Creative for Climate Justice: www.christianaid.org.uk/get-involved/schools/creative-climate

Watch: https://cafod.org.uk/education/campaign-in-your-school/get-creative-for-climate-justice-young-people