Hundreds of young people in Teesside learn about climate change
The 'All Our Futures Conference' was held yesterday in Guisborough
Young people in Teesside have been learning about climate change and sharing their views on what should be prioritised locally.
The 'All Our Futures Conference' was held yesterday in Guisborough which brought together around 100 children and teenagers from seven different schools around Redcar and Cleveland.
They've been us why they're passionate about climate change action: "If we don't rectify our mistakes, we're going to be frozen solid, or we're just going to be burning alive. I think climate change is a really, really scary thing, so it's important that people spread awareness about how dangerous it is and what we can do to stop it.
"The environment is the cradle for life here on Earth. If it wasn't for most of the things in the environment, we probably wouldn't be here. Have you noticed the wildfires, the droughts? If we don't make a change, we might have to be displaced and take alternative action."
One of those taking part was 20 year-old Archie Marsay from Middlesbrough and he said: "Trees give us oxygen, and the land and ocean give us food. It's beautiful. If you look at the redwoods in America, the Himalayan mountains, all these fantastic views, in a couple of hundred years, if we don't solve climate change, they might not be there anymore.
"Some people look at animals and say, 'they're just animals.' But they each have their own unique lives and ways of living, and some of them are amazing creatures that are being affected. We've lost a lot of marine life: whales, sharks and more.
"So I'm really hoping to make a change with climate change, so that future generations can marvel at what nature has given us."
Rebecca Brett, youth and environment manager at The Junction Foundation based in Dormanstown, said: "I think we feel it's really important that this is the next generation, those who are going to be very much leading the charge against climate change. We want to provide them with a space and a platform to raise their voices and be heard.
"I think climate change is going to have to be on everybody's agenda. We're already seeing the differences in our weather, and the impact that it's having, from farming to flooding to everything in between. I think it's about recognising that we all have a part to play in that, different parts: bringing people together, raising their awareness of climate and nature, and how we can make an impact as individuals.
"Also, hopefully, these will be some of the young people going into those jobs in the future, who will then be creating all of these amazing, innovative ideas that make a huge difference.
"The young people are also becoming advocates of change. They're pushing for things to be different. They want these events to happen. They want sessions to run, and activities where they learn more about nature and climate. So I think they're really helping to build that momentum and keep these things going."
The conference has also been part of Green Careers Week.