Written by Lucinda J, Year 10
COP28 commenced on 30th November in Dubai and was marked by OHS students and staff in many different ways.
On Monday 4th November 2023, the lecture theatre buzzed with the sound of healthy debate as Ms Phipps, Mr Lonsdale, Ms Horrocks and Mr Nicholl went head-to-head on the question, ‘Should OHS switch to a plant-based menu?’ This question was brought up by the audience hypothetically! However, it brought very real arguments and discussions to the table as the judges and audience sided with Ms Phipps & Mr Lonsdale’s argument that a plant-based menu would be healthier, more ethical and would bring us closer to our target of net zero by 2030. Thank you to Dr Chorley and Madame Hilary for organising this!
The debate showcased the clash of ideas, with Mrs Phipps and Mr Lonsdale forming one team in favour of the switch, and Mrs Horrocks and Mr Nicholl defending the status quo. Five students (Maria, Emilia, Lexi, Evie and Maia) had the hard task of deciding on the winning team and giving feedback to the teachers.
Mrs Phipps and Mr Lonsdale had a compelling case, in which they highlighted the environmental impact of meat consumption, talking about how the school would reduce its carbon footprint by embracing a plant-based approach. They emphasised the potential health benefits of a plant-based diet, citing statistics and facts linking such diets to great health benefits.
Mrs Horrocks and Mr Nicholl argued for a smaller amount of meat instead of completely eradicating it all, stating that it is important to respect the diverse culinary preferences within the student body. They also urged an understanding of diverse dietary traditions within the school community. The teachers cautioned against a one-size-fits-all approach, advocating for a menu that respects individual choices.
Both teams used good techniques, which captivated the audience and were very convincing for the judges, with funny moments that none of us will forget. Good examples, with lots of evidence and easy-to-follow speeches made it a very hard debate to judge. After careful consideration the judges decided that Mrs Phipps and Mr Lonsdale, with their captivating arguments for a plant-based menu, won the debate. – Maria F,
Just a day later, students from the Climate Justice & Action Club gathered in the Crush Hall to encourage passers-by to write their own pledges to fight climate change. From double-glazing windows to letter-writing to downloading climate science apps, many different, specific pledges were made! The pledges were folded into paper boats to cast light on the amount of people being displaced by the climate crisis, a number predicted to hit 1.2 billion at 2050 by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).
To finish off the week, about a dozen students and staff made their way into Summertown for a short but impactful silent protest with a few, simple signs: ‘The climate crisis is a humanitarian crisis’ and ‘We want a future’. This seemed a fitting way to conclude the Climate Justice & Action Club’s first term, as the club aims to focus on the often-overlooked impacts of climate change on people, as well as polar bears and sea turtles. Looking forward to next term, the club’s events will hopefully include petitions, an open mic event, and further development of our Instagram account. Also, keep an eye out for the results of the club’s COP competition and an article soon to be published in our brand-new Humanities Magazine!