AT the recent Launceston Youth Council meeting on February 1 a room full of young people came together to discuss and debate all things climate change.

Launceston Youth Council welcomed a guest speaker, Mr Richard Sharland, of Altarnun, who spoke to the group about the current plans and actions already being taken within the community to help tackle climate change. Mr Sharland challenged the group to explore the thought of ‘What would a carbon neutral Launceston look like?’ and how residents could make a difference at a local level.

Representatives from each of the town’s schools attended the meeting and all offered ideas and suggestions of things they wish to promote and introduce in their schools.

Launceston Town Councillor Margaret Young, who hosted the meeting, said: “It is wonderful to see so many of our students engaged with the Youth Council and to hear how passionate they are when it comes to action on climate change. I look forward to hearing their updates at our next meeting in March.”

Cornwall Council community network officer for Launceston and Bude, Chris Sims, also made a presentation to the group during the meeting. Mr Sims shared with Launceston Youth Council updates of the action that Cornwall Council had taken, since announcing a climate emergency back in 2019, this included improvements to planning enforcement in more energy efficient older properties, an increased number of car charging points across Cornwall, the Forest for Cornwall, the Grow Nature Seed fund and more.

Also in attendance was Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor for Launceston Central Gemma Massey, who said: “To be in a room full of young people with so much enthusiasm, energy and determination is infectious! The group have now been tasked with working together on a joint project across our local schools to help tackle climate change, I await to see the suggestions brought to the next meeting and how this now unfolds.”

Mr Sharland was thanked for his time in joining the meeting. Launceston Youth Council chair Josh Warburton said: “It has been good to share ideas and look at what more can be done by us as the youth council, including working with our school eco councils too.”

Launceston Youth Council will meet again in Launceston Town Hall in March.