MEMBERS of Hermitage Academy’s eco committee had their climate thinking caps on recently as they took part in a series of COP26 events in Glasgow.

Groups of Helensburgh school pupils headed to the city centre during the fortnight-long summit to learn more about the climate crisis and what we can all do to help.

On Tuesday, November 2, 10 youngsters participated in a Climate Fresk workshop at the City of Glasgow College hub, where they learned how all the different causes and effects of climate change are interrelated.

They then visited Gartnavel Hospital for a ‘pollution pods’ exhibition featuring a group of medical staff from across the UK who had cycled from London to Glasgow to highlight the seriousness of air pollution.

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Fiona McLeod, eco schools lead teacher, said: “We were fortunate enough to meet some of the members of the Ride for their Lives team at the pods before heading in to experience for ourselves a simulation of the smog in five cities across the world, from the relatively ‘clean’ Tautra in Norway to São Paolo, Beijing, New Delhi and London.

“It was an eye-opening experience.”

On Friday another 10 pupils joined the COP26 Green Zone where they enjoyed several fascinating events and exhibitions, learning about sustainable travel, technology and diets, making climate pledges and even touching and learning about an ice core from the Antarctic.

Ms McLeod added: “At the end of the day, despite a long delay in getting home, all pupils agreed they had had an amazing experience and were even more inspired than ever to continue the battle against climate change.”