Birds2BHeard COP26 — Making Natural History

Birds2BHeard, Eastbourne to Glasgow’s COP26

Students at Willingdon Community College

Eastbourne’s youth come together to make Birds2BHeard, calling on all leaders to work together to tackle the human causes of climate change.

In 2020 a group of Eastbourne primary schools created a flock of paper birds to carry their concerns about the environment to COP26. Following the postponement of the event a pupil from West Rise Primary School wrote her concerns in a letter to Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister. He replied, “I am incredibly encouraged by the interests and enthusiasm that you and other young people have shown on this issue…I agree that we must all work together to protect our planet and ensure a more sustainable future.”

Now, over 5,000 young people from Eastbourne, aged 4 – 19, have responded to this call to action. They have created beautiful paper birds and written on them their concerns about the future of the planet and actions they want to see from their Prime Minister and other local, national and world leaders. They have named their call-to-action Birds2BHeard.

Students at Hillhead High School in Glasgow

Where will the birds go?

Glasgow
Birds2BHeard will travel from Eastbourne to Glasgow for COP26. On 4th November they arrive at Green Flag Eco School, Hillhead High, a secondary school in Glasgow, where pupils and staff are supporting Eastbourne’s call for action. They will be interacting with the huge display of Birds2BHeard and adding their own contributions to the growing flock of paper birds.

On 5th November Birds2BHeard joins Glasgow’s ‘Friday’s For the Future’ march (11 am Kelvingrove Park) and then Glasgow’s ‘Global Day of Action’ march on 6th November. Birds2BHeard will also appear at Eastbourne’s Global Day of Action on the same day.

COP Conference
A selection of birds will be distributed and discussed at the conference itself, at the COP26 Presidency Programme’s Youth and Public Empowerment Day on 5th November. Birds2BHeard embodies the Programme’s aim to elevate the voice of young people and demonstrate the critical role of public empowerment and education in climate action.

Eastbourne
Throughout COP26 Eastbourne’s youth will continue to engage with Birds2BHeard. They will make and take their Birds2BHeard home to share their concerns about the impact of climate change on their local environment with family members, neighbours and community leaders.

Contributors will share Birds2BHeard through social media using #Birds2BHeard and Glasgow schools hashtag #OurDearGreenPlace increasing awareness on environmental issues throughout COP26.

Why Eastbourne?
Eastbourne has a growing population of young people who deeply care about the future of the planet. The town’s youth activism builds on a legacy of youth environmentalism. In 1995 a group of children from Eastbourne instigated and hosted the first United Nations Children’s Conference on the Environment, ‘Leave It To Us’. 800 children representing 85 countries came together for the first time to share and develop their ideas and initiatives for improving the environment for future generations. The conference delegates produced a list of 26 environmental challenges which were presented at the United Nations in New York by the conference chair and vice chair to representatives from national governments around the world.

In 2020 to mark the 25th anniversary of this pioneering enterprise 600 children from Eastbourne created a flock of paper birds to carry their concerns about the environment to Sir Tim Smit from the Eden Project and their local leader, Councillor David Tutt, their Member of Parliament Caroline Ansell, House of Lords members Lord Lucas and Baroness Floella Benjamin and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Why birds?
Eastbourne’s Whitbread Hollow is a stopping place for migratory birds. Since 2000, bird ringers have recorded a sharp decline in bird arrivals and departures due to loss of habitat, competition for food resources and climate change. Birds2BHeard paper birds represent the plight of birds globally

Sir Tim Smit, of The Eden Project and Supporter of Birds2BHeard:

“The young people of Eastbourne are an extraordinary, engaged and committed group who are creating a climate of positive action and engaging in it. To be with them infuses my old bones with muscular hope that change is around the corner and the future, in the form of these youngsters, is in extremely good hands.”

Caroline Ansell MP for Eastbourne & Willingdon says:

“It’s particularly beautiful the children have chosen to convey their messages on wings. It will be my privilege to see the birds fly to Downing Street.”

Baroness Floella Benjamin DBE. Ambassador The Queen’s Green Canopy:

“I am delighted to support Birds2BHeard. This project shows how the young people of Eastbourne and Glasgow are taking charge and making a difference to their world.”

Councillor David Tutt, Leader, Eastbourne Borough Council says:

“The young people in Eastbourne are sending an important plea to COP26. I congratulate them on their initiative and hope that their voices will be heard. They have my full support.”

Birds2BHeard is supported by Ralph and Antonia Lucas of Making Natural History, Baroness Floella Benjamin, EcoEd2030, Sir Tim Smit of the Eden Project, Plastic Free Eastbourne and Treebourne.

Ben Bowles, Headteacher, Langley Academy

Jackie Bale, Assistant Headteacher, South Downs Community Special Needs School

Participating schools include; St Catherine’s College, Eastbourne College, Gildredge House Free School, The Cavendish School, Motcombe Community Infant School, Ocklynge Junior School, Pashley Down Infant School, Ratton School, South Downs Community Special Needs School, St Thomas a Becket Catholic Primary School, The Turing School, West Rise Junior School, Willingdon Community College, East Sussex College’s – Eastbourne Campus.

In collaboration with;