Six green projects from school and college teams across the Humber have been shortlisted as part of The Waterline Student Sustainability Challenge 2022.
They are a step away from winning £2,000 to help realise their work and an eco trip to Norway, as the acclaimed initiative aimed at inspiring the next generation continues to gain momentum.
The challenge, which has major backing from leading sponsors Equinor and SSE Thermal, gives students across the Energy Estuary the chance to make a positive impact on communities and the environment. They were invited to create inspiring solutions to harmful climate problems.
Read more: Grid stability technology launches on the Humber as balance brought to aid renewables revolution
A celebration event, to be held at The Waterline Summit in October, will see the winners of this year’s challenge crowned.
The finalists are:
- Engineering UTC Northern Lincolnshire, Year 9 Loyal Leaders: Developed and distributed an energy pledge, investigated methods of reducing energy consumption in school and agreed with the school’s finance manager to save a third on energy bills per year
- Grimsby Institute, Ellie Daynes: Produced a television advert focused on saving energy in the household, to inspire adults to save and use less energy
- Malet Lambert School, LeafStyle: Created a fashion-focused app with multiple functions, including sustainable shopping, design-your-own sustainable fashion, a selling platform, and advice and information on big fashion brands
- Marshlands Primary School, Sustainability Heroes: Relaunched the school’s sustainability club. Carried out tree-planting, and integrated composting and waste-management into the day-to-day operations of the school. The team led a survey for teachers and students to find out more about their attitudes to sustainability
- Ron Dearing UTC, Emma Giblin: Designed striking murals highlighting the damaging impact of climate change and rising sea levels on Hull and the Humber
- Wyke College, Conserve2Preserve: Created an app dedicated to ensuring people can receive daily sustainability tips, and track their carbon emissions in real time, while being able to see the impact on the local area
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Highly commended recognition has been awarded to Ron Dearing UTC’s Humber Turbines and Malet Lambert School’s Global Coolers.
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Run by Marketing Humber, the Humber Renewables Award winning campaign culminates at the annual summit, it brings together the University of Hull and leading regional, national, and international businesses to support the region’s transition to a zero-carbon economy.
Richard Royal, head of public affairs and communications at Equinor, said: “We’ve been hugely impressed by the quality, breadth and originality of this year’s entries. It is fantastic to see the passion that young people show for protecting, preserving and enhancing their environment and tackling the challenge of climate change. Many of the entries are not just hypothetical ideas but practical solutions that are already delivering real change on the ground, and it’s fantastic to see that direct impact.”
Jade Fernandez, stakeholder manager for SSE Thermal, said: “Innovation will be essential in reaching net zero and we’ve seen some brilliant ideas put forward in this year’s Waterline Student Sustainability Challenge. The level of passion and enthusiasm has been hugely impressive, with the finalists all putting forward ideas that can make a genuine difference. We’re delighted to be sponsoring the event this year, and look forward to seeing the winning team named at the Waterline Summit in October.”
Both are partnering on major decarbonisation projects in the Humber.
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The finalists will get the opportunity to learn about Humber-based businesses and organisations, providing an insight into what the Humber has to offer in relation to sustainable careers and skills development.
In The Waterline Student Sustainability Challenge’s inaugural year, students from Ron Dearing UTC’s Sustainability Crew claimed the 2021 crown with a carbon calculator. The invention helped students and staff calculate transport savings when switching to walking or cycling, and was used by teachers and pupils alike.
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Representatives were taken to COP26, the UN climate change conference in Glasgow, as well as securing the cash prize, used for tree planting.
Alicia Woodward, marketing and communications executive at Marketing Humber, manages the challenge. She said: “I have been so impressed by the entries received this year. The enthusiasm shown by the students, paired with such a range of brilliant and creative ideas to help combat climate change, has been inspiring. I look forward to celebrating the achievements
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