Exploring climate change challenges at the KS3 Climate Conference
Year 8 scientists and geographers enjoyed attending the KS3 Climate Conference at the University of Herfordshire
On Tuesday 11th June, we attended the KS3 Climate Conference at the University of Hertfordshire, organised by the Science Learning Partnership. Our first event was a talk by the keynote speaker Dr Phil Porter who is an expert on glaciers and the effects of climate change. He showed videos of him abseiling into a glacier and lighting the methane that is being released from the ice because of climate change! An interesting fact that I have learnt from his talk was that “20% of the world’s main source of water is water from the glaciers.”
After listening to the keynote speaker, we attended a workshop on how computing and AI can be used to help in the battle against climate change. This technology will allow computers to remotely and quickly find the differences between a clean sea and a polluted one. The next workshop was centred around the car industry and how exhaust emissions are contributing to global warming.
We worked in groups and proposed 5 ideas that could be lobbied in parliament to make our transport system more sustainable. We finished the day discussing sustainability and conservation with various exhibitors including representatives from Hertfordshire zoo.
It was a very informative day and showed how scientists and geographers are working together to try to minimize the problems occurring because of climate change.
Victoria S (Year 8)