YOUNGSTERS raise their concerns in a desperate bid to tackle global warming.

More than 60 young people gathered in the Council Chambers to make their voices heard as part of the East Ayrshire Youth Climate Change Conference.

The conference was hosted by the local authority in conjunction with the Children and Young People’s Cabinet, in response to the recent media coverage of the climate emergency and to acknowledge that action is needed now to achieve zero carbon emissions targets over the next 20-30 years.

Young people from primary and secondary schools, elected members and senior officers from East Ayrshire Council and partner organisations all came together to discuss the pressing issue.

The agenda for the day was set by the young people themselves, based on feedback and suggestions from the Children and Young People’s Cabinet and the key themes set out in the Council’s Climate Change Declaration.

These included sustainable transport, food and local procurement, waste and recycling, energy use and buildings and local infrastructure.

The event itself was paper-free, with all materials available online, and the lunch buffet consisted of quality sustainable produce.

In keeping with the themes of the day, pupil delegates were transported from school to the conference by the Council’s own fleet of electric vehicles.

The event was formally opened by Council Leader, Douglas Reid. He said: “This event was arranged in response to our young people wanting to have a say in how we tackle climate change.

“All around the world, young people are supporting Greta Thunberg by participating in climate change strikes and demonstrations, but the young people of East Ayrshire wanted to be more productive and to have more of a say in terms of what could be done at a local level.