Wellacre Against Climate Change

Posted at 8:32 am on 2nd December, 2021

RHS Environmental Ideas Hackathon

On 11th November, Wellacre students were invited to join the RHS IGNITION hackathon event at the University of Salford Live Lab, to mark the COP26 in Glasgow. 

The event, much like the COP26, was an opportunity for teams of schools and youth organisations (age 13-25) to generate practical actions that the RHS IGNITION project can take to transform communities by learning, collaborating, and sharing ideas. Ideas from the event will be exhibited in a show at RHS Bridgewater in 2022.

Teams were challenged to reimagine the future of Greater Manchester, and explore how we can use nature to make Greater Manchester, and the people that live here, resilient to the effects of climate change.

Year 10 students Matthew, Nicky and Josh, alongside Year 11 Adam, created a presentation on how we could involve nature to help Manchester be more resilient to climate change (utilising rain and flood water). The group talked about creating SuDS in more concrete areas such as city, centres and outside football stadiums; these are sustainable drainage systems built using trees.

Mrs Doolan, Teacher of Geography, said:

“The boys were amazing and thought up some excellent, sustainable ideas that were well-presented to an influential panel.  They met the challenge with pride, resilience and determination!”

The RHS IGNITION panel included members from City of Trees, University of Manchester Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and Manchester City Council.

Year 11 Adam, said:

“I really enjoyed today; it was great touring the Living Lab and seeing how we can change our buildings to adjust to our changing climate. Not only that, these changes will also help towards reducing the causes of climate change. I also liked how we could present our ideas and that they will be used at the RHS Bridgewater exhibition next year.”

Mrs Sharrock, Principal, added:

“The event has given students the opportunity to think about their wider community and about how they can help to shape a more sustainable future for Greater Manchester.  I am really happy that they took so much from it.”