This conference was aimed at making pupils believe that their actions make an important difference to the way the worlds’ environment would develop in the future. The conference was split up into three sections, each of which were designed to inspire pupils and teachers of the GSA member schools to become more innovative in their environmental outlook.
After registration everyone had the chance to visit exhibition stands which promoted aspects of environmental awareness and sustainability. Over fifteen businesses and organisations’ displayed the ways in which they had become more ‘eco-friendly’ and also how other people could use these ideas in their own initiatives. The stands ranged from Solar Century, the UK’s leading solar energy company, specialising in building integrated photovoltaics for IT schools Africa (ITSA).
Following a warm welcome everyone moved into the Princess Hall to listen to three keynote speakers. Jonathon Porritt, co-founder of Forum for the Future, opened the conference and spoke about the environmental challenges that faced us and future generations. He encouraged all the girls to have innovative and creative ideas with inspiring examples such as the ‘car-free city’ of Bogota, Columbia. Porritt spoke with depth and imagination, answering the burning questions that so many people have about the threats of global warming; leaving everyone feeling compelled to go and do the most they could to help the environment.
The second speaker, Professor K Vala Ragnarsdottir, spoke of her experience in environmental sustainability. Her talk focused on empowering people to take action. Vala’s talk was extremely broad and covered topics ranging from female leadership to the fundamental questions of human kind, such as “should we strive for humanity to survive?”
Professor Ragnarsdottir also introduced the idea of sustainability cafes, a concept that was new to many and that everyone was eager to try out later that afternoon.
The third and final speaker was Simone Mann, the co-founding Director of Cheltenham-based Commercial Group, the largest independently owned office services company in the UK. Simone, although not environmentally trained, was the driving force behind Commercial becoming one of the first companies of its kind to become carbon neutral. She described the reasoning behind and the practical steps she took to make Commercial Carbon Neutral and the ways in which the business has benefited as a result. Simone spoke clearly of the four stages her business had taken to become Carbon Neutral, measuring, reducing, off-setting and communicating; a process that had only taken her an impressive eighteen months to complete. This talk differed from the others in the respect that it offered insight into a real-life and successful example of how one person’s drive and determination to make a difference helped a large and successful business become environmentally friendly in such a short space of time. An achievement that I know motivated everyone in the room.
All three talks were excellent and interesting in their own way. ‘Eco warrior’ or not, everyone was converted in a few short hours to wanting to do their bit for the environment.
In true Cheltenham Ladies style, not a single detail was omitted and lunch carried on the environmental theme, with all produce being organic, free-range and sourced within a 25-mile radius of Cheltenham. It was an excellent chance to discuss the morning’s topics with others that were now equally eager to share their views.
The afternoon event was particularly enjoyable with everyone joining in with the challenging and dynamic World Cafe discussions run by Professor Ragnarsdottir. This was a vibrant experience with everyone getting to know each other and offering their own opinions and thoughts to each table. This proved to be a brilliant way to get a wide range of ideas down quickly which could then be refined into action plans, which I have no doubt will be transferred back to all of the GSA schools.
Hannah