This booklet covers what bioenergy is, why we should use it, what people worried are about when we talk about bioenergy and how to ensure a future with bioenergy will be sustainable. All of this in a fun and informative comic book style!
If a student would like a copy, please contact Mr Ellor, Acting Head of Biology or Mr Devine, Acting Head of Geography.
On Wednesday 3rd December, Dr Richard Waller from Keele University came in to talk to Year 10 about the urgent topic of climate change. We have been studying the causes and effects of climate change in recent weeks, and Dr Waller really put things into perspective for everyone and helped with our GCSE work. His talk was gripping and it really hit home just how important it is that we try to do everything we can to stop climate change. He went through mitigation strategies with us, talking about how important it is that we as a human race try to reduce the impacts of climate change. Reducing greenhouse emissions is a very simple and key way to reduce climate change, but Dr Waller also went through switching power and electricity production ways, among many others, and how easy it is for us to access wind and solar power. This showed us what we must do to reduce and limit climate change, and Dr Waller reinforced how it was our world that is being destroyed, and us who are going to have to live with the consequences.
Vesey marked COP 26 as a significant event around school, with notices on the blog and tutors discussing the events of the conference with their forms, as well as hosting a talk from a visitor who informed the lower and upper sixth about the various job opportunities and university courses that could help provide solutions to aid the fight for the climate. Students had the opportunity to engage with Professor Patricia Thornley, a researcher of engineering and physical sciences, who explained the importance of sustainability and conservation. Thornley highlighted that a reduction in meat eating, and flying were the main two ways in which we as individuals could most effectively reduce our carbon footprint – students were surprised to hear that a flight from the UK to the USA releases 1.7 tonnes of carbon emissions (out of the average 12.7 tonnes annually)! The professor also explained the necessity of industry and governments working in unison to find an effective solution to the climate crisis, also noting that the introduction of a carbon tax or carbon labels on products could also persuade people to reduce their personal carbon footprint. Students were able to ask questions regarding the environment and her work – a discussion in which she stated the importance of students acting now by joining engineering initiatives and going into roles advising on government action to preserve the climate for future generations. Later the sixth form learned about how many of our home items are made from unsustainably sourced materials, encouraging students to find eco-friendly alternatives to cut carbon emissions from home. The next day (Nov 10th) Professor Thornley spoke at COP 26, in which she and others argued that “Sustainable management of forests and supply of wood products will be central to protecting forest carbon sinks and the species they support.”
The visit from Dr Waller was inspiring, and complemented our work on climate change and its effects nicely.
ELLA DELICATE, U6 FREDDIE JONES, 10G
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The Most Serious Challenge Humanity Has Ever Had to Face Up to
WINTER 2021 | EDITION 13
