Liverpool School's Parliament Day on the Environment
Dr Elly King had the pleasure of attending the Liverpool Schools Parliament (LSP) Environment Day on 13th February. The event brought together young minds from schools across the city, all eager to explore solutions to environmental challenges.
Liverpool has an ambition to become a UNICEF Child Friendly City and has already started the process. Any local authority that is serious about listening to its residents so it can provide the best services possible, cannot ignore the voices of children and young people. This is why the Liverpool Schools’ Parliament (LSP) is such a vital mechanism for involving youngsters in what happens in Liverpool – and for them to hold the Council to account.
The Environment day began in the Town Hall, with an energising welcome from the Lord Mayor, followed by an introduction from the Child Friendly Liverpool team who then handed over to the children themselves to lead the day. The room buzzed with anticipation as the students gathered, ready to participate in a series of discussions and activities designed to inspire environmental action.
Everyone gathering for the day.
Young Voices, Big Ideas
An icebreaker eco quiz kicked off the session, getting everyone thinking about sustainability in a fun and interactive way. Following this, schools shared their own environmental projects, offering insight into the innovative ways they are making a difference. Some highlighted initiatives included:
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Adopting green spaces to promote biodiversity.
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Creating litter committees to keep school grounds and surrounding areas clean.
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Encouraging walking and cycling to school to reduce carbon emissions.
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Expanding recycling efforts with specialised bins for paper, plastics, and more.
Thought-Provoking Questions
A key highlight of the day was the Q&A session, where children asked powerful and insightful questions, demonstrating their deep concern for the planet:
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How can we restore abandoned houses?
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How do we encourage wildlife?
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What can we do to assist endangered animals?
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Why is so much rubbish put into the ocean?
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Can we replace plastic bags with paper or fabric ones?
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How can we prevent litter from reaching the sea?
The enthusiasm and creativity of these young minds were truly inspiring, showing that children and young people are eager to lead the way in protecting the environment. We did our best to answer!
The launch of eco week.
Looking Ahead: Schools Eco Week 2025
As the event wrapped up, students and teachers reflected on the day’s discussions and the actions they would take moving forward. One key upcoming initiative that will build on this momentum is Schools Eco Week, set to take place from May 12th, 2025. This week will serve as a dedicated time for schools to implement sustainable projects, educate their peers, and contribute to a greener future.
The Liverpool Schools Parliament on the Environment was a powerful reminder that young people have a crucial role to play in shaping a sustainable future. Their ideas, energy, and determination prove that the next generation is ready to tackle environmental challenges head-on—and that we, as adults, must listen, support, and amplify their voices.
Here’s to a greener Liverpool, led by the passionate changemakers of tomorrow!
