Rachael Harrop from Queen Elizabeth II High School has been invited to Bonn on 11th June to speak about the School’s eco projects. The School was selected after winning an Ozone Action Award from UNEP with their project ‘Investigative Journalists in Gambia’.

Rachael was one of six students awarded a trip to The Gambia to see the work that Concern Universal, a development charity organisation, was doing there. The students saw first-hand the impacts of climate change in The Gambia, which include salinization and desertification, leading to reduced agricultural production. The students realised that carbon dioxide emissions produced on one side of the world are causing negative consequences on the other side and decided to start a project aiming at reducing their School’s environmental impact.

Rachael has been asked to give a power-point presentation on the School’s work at a sideshow event on behalf of the United Nations Environment Programme.

The objective of the side event is to launch the publication ‘Youth in Action on Climate Change: Inspirations from Around the World’’ aiming at showcasing activities young people are leading around the world for creating a green, low emission and climate resilient development. The School’s eco work is included in the publication.

Sue Moore, Head Teacher, said “It is an immense honour to be chosen to represent young people at the United Nations Climate Change Conference. I am proud of Rachael and the rest of the eco-committee for all the work they have been doing to safeguard our environment for future generations.”

Photo - Rachael Harrop pictured in The Gambia in 2011.