Beeston’s youth-led climate action group, Green Futures is celebrating recognition at the Global Learning Awards ceremony in Leeds for successfully championing young people’s voices in the fight against climate change.
The award honours the group’s advocacy, community engagement, and commitment to ensuring that young people are heard by decision-makers on one of the most urgent issues of our time.
The award follows a compelling speech delivered at Leeds Civic Hall on 19 June to an audience of community activists, politicians and business leaders, where Green Futures ambassadors highlighted both the local and global impact of climate change and called for everyone to adopt sustainable lifestyles.
In their speech the young ambassadors drew attention to the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities and reminded leaders that the issue is not distant, but local and urgent.
They reminded the audience of the Boxing Day floods of 2015, which devastated parts of Leeds, as a stark example of climate impacts closer to home.
Aisha, one of the group’s speakers said:
“Over 2,600 homes and 650 businesses were flooded… with an economic cost of an around £37 million. But the personal impacts cannot be measured by this figure alone.”
Green Futures’ award-winning approach centres on education, empowerment, and practical action. The group works to increase awareness of climate change while encouraging people to make small changes to their lifestyles to protect our environment.
Initiatives promoted by the group include school allotments, outdoor learning, and sustainable food growing: helping young people to develop hands-on skills while supporting environmental goals.
Addressing leaders directly, Aisha issued a clear challenge:
“Today, you are all sitting here as decision makers with the power to make a difference. We can talk the talk but it’s up to you to walk the walk. Remember, small, collective changes can lead to meaningful progress.”
The group’s closing message to “Go greener, go further” captured the spirit of the group’s work and its ambition for the future.
Pat McGeever, Chief Executive of Health for All said:
“We are incredibly proud of Green Futures. Winning the Global Learning Award for having their voices heard recognises the passion, dedication and leadership of young people in Leeds who are driving real change. Their voices are not only being heard — they are making a difference.”
Green Futures youth group is supported by one of Health for All’s wonderful Community Development Workers, Hua Liu. The group meets weekly in Beeston for creative workshops, group discussions and to plan and take part in practical projects. It has up to 45 members aged 12 to 20.
This post is based on a press release issued by Health For All
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