Western News: September 24, 2019

8
Tuesday September 24 2019
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News
Science journalist addresses
students over climate change
• By Claire Booker
YOUNG CLIMATE activists
were visited by Canadian
science journalist Alanna
Mitchell – and her message
was one of hope.
Students and teachers at
Christchurch Girls’ High and
Hillmorton High schools met
Ms Mitchell last week, and she
spoke about her career – with
her speciality being the ocean.
Ms Mitchell has written six
books on climate change, and
her knowledge comes from
following some of the world’s
most celebrated scientists on
their expeditions.
Ms Mitchell is in New
Zealand to do a series of talks
to MAS Insurance members,
and the company wanted to
give her the opportunity to
inspire the next generation
of climate change activists in
Christchurch.
Hillmorton High School
social studies teacher Geordie
Dann said the school’s year 9s
and environment committee
enjoyed hosting Alanna as
the ideas and issues discussed
about the oceans were enlightening
and frightening.
“The students were so keen
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
EXPERT: Climate change journalist Alanna Mitchell visited
Hillmorton High and Christchurch Girls’ High to educate
students on climate change. ​
to interact and find solutions
or practical things that people
can do to make real change
before the damage is irreversible”.
Ms Mitchell also spoke to
about 40 year 8 and 9 social
studies students at Hillmorton
High School.
After each talk, she spent
time privately speaking with
four students from each school
from the schools’ environmental
committees.
Student Charlotte Koers
said: “I think this was an
amazing, different experience
and a new way to learn more
about a topic our generation is
interested in. I found it really
interesting learning about
Coral Spawning and that it
happens once annually. Overall,
Alanna’s talk was a great
WESTERN NEWS
opportunity and one that we
learnt a lot from.”
Ms Mitchell’s overall message
to the students was that
there is still hope, and she
applauded New Zealand students
for being so active in the
climate change space.
“It’s this generation that
is really going to make that
difference in this whole public
discourse about climate
change. It’s so inspiring to
hear about what these students
are doing. They are going to
change the world, I know it.
I feel so much more hopeful
having done this talk – it’s
moving and fascinating,” she
said.
At CGHS she talked to about
270 mostly year 12 students,
and assistant principal Sonja
Bailey said she hopes the talk
will open up a lot of horizons
for the students.
Mrs Bailey said the school
supports its students who
are involved with the School
Strike 4 Climate initiative, and
there will be students striking
on Friday.
“If we can support our girls,
that’s our little bit we can do,”
she said.