COP26 youth stage reports

After two intense weeks of discussion, debate and decompression, the Extreme Hangout at COP26 is declared a huge success.

Local governmental and youth leaders explore the role of politicians in turning their boroughs, cities and metropolitan areas into greener, healthier hubs to tackle global warming while acknowledging the issue of economic class to make the transition fairer for everybody.

After dark the Extreme Hangout at COP26 danced to the climate beat from leading musicians, artistes and DJs. From the US, AY Young launched his 17 new anthems to reflect the UN’s 17 Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). He is a passionate artist, entrepreneur and activist utilising his platform to bridge conversation and raise awareness about issues surrounding sustainability, equal access and community development. AY Young was named by the United Nations as 1 of 17 World Youth Leaders in 2020, selected from 18,000 nominations from 186 countries and is the only Youth Leader coming out of the United States.

Scottish band Tide Lines, formed in Glasgow in 2016, have built a large & passionate fanbase. With sold out venues all over the UK and having played to hundreds of thousands at various UK music festivals, Robert Robertson & Ali Turner from the band performed a special acoustic performance at Extreme Hangout. Their latest album, Eye of the Storm, which was released in May 2020, just narrowly missed the Official UK Album Chart Top 10. All four members of Tide Lines are originally from rural parts of the Scottish Highlands and are all incredibly passionate about the conservation of our beautiful natural environment, our planet and our future generations

Rain forests are a source of air, water, food, shelter and medicine. They are critical to the survival of every living thing on Earth and provide livelihoods for 1.6 billion people. Forests are also a powerful natural climate solution. As they grow, trees absorb more carbon than they emit and release pure oxygen. In fact, conserving forests could cut an estimated 7 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide each year—the equivalent of getting rid of every car on the planet! Yet, alarmingly, deforestation and degradation are still ongoing, in particular, in the tropics—triggering a global chain reaction of increased greenhouse gas emissions, rising temperatures, and devastating forest fires. The Rainforest Alliance believes community forests can contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation and vice-versa, and how to strengthen this linkage to achieve greater resilience for nature and local communities. We hear from Emmanuelle Berenger and Abdul-Razak Saeed. Plus, representatives from the Amazon Sacred Headwaters initiative

We talk exclusively to Charles Clover, Executive Director of The Blue Marine Foundation. His journey from the Rio Earth Summit (COP1) to Glasgow and The Extreme Hangout at COP26

Leading ocean experts and advocates discuss the importance of action to prevent further damage to marine life. Guests include Hugo Tagholm of Surfers Against Sewage.​ Dr. Lauren Biermann, Marine Remote Sensing Scientist at Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), Jennifer Koskelin, Dan Crocket, Madelaine St. Clair and Francesca Trotman

Climate change has already had an outsized impact upon the world. There is not one solution and a multivariate approach that incorporates socio-economic transformation and a new international legal framework is essential. Join this panel to hear from young leaders more about how the climate crisis can be collectively addressed and overcome through global and unprecedented solutions.

Global food systems are both major drivers of the climate crisis, and significantly under threat by a rise in global temperatures. It is estimated that up to 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions stem from the global food system. What is clear is that a new approach is needed. Farming, agriculture, food delivery, and consumption all must be transformed and reimagined to mitigate the climate crisis

In the Transport without a Trace panel at the Extreme Hangout at COP26 we talked to Marianne Bailey, inventor of the Solar Taxi and Head of Content at Electroheads, Eilis Barret and accelerating the transition towards carbon-free mobility. 

In the Race to Zero we’re being urged to ditch fossil fuels and cut our personal and professional carbon emissions. Thankfully, we’re now developing the technology to get us there. Our actions are having a massive affect on the climate. So what will a life without carbon (emissions) look like? An expert panel discusses the options:

Nadja Yang One Young World Ambassador

Kunle Barker, COO Melt Property

Dr Rebecca Becky Heaton, Director of Sustainability, OVO

Hannah Dillon, Head of Campaign at Zero Carbon

As creator of The Big Issue in the UK, John Bird, self confessed former criminal now elevated to the Lords, has learned about life on the streets from bitter experience. He describes himself as an activist, against inequality, poverty and what he sees as a broken system. Climate change he says can help to alleviate poverty through channeling the anticipated green jobs boom towards those in most need of employment. He talks frankly to Jonathan Levy before taking the stage at The Extreme hangout at COP26.

This week the UN launched its Sports for Climate Action targets and requirements, calling for the sector to make a 50% cut in greenhouse gasses by 2030 and zero emissions by 2040. In this edition of the Extreme Hangout at COP26 Podcast, we hear from athletes and sports specialists with their concerns for the environment from the Extreme Hangout stage at COP26 in Glasgow. Don't miss the free panels continuing throughout the weekend and all next week to 11th November. In person or online. Full details at: https://extremehangoutevents.com/  

This edition features:

Hannah Mills, double Olympic Gold Medal sailor.

Allegra Stratton, The UK Prime Minister’s spokesperson on COP26

Julie Duffus, Sustainability Senior Manager, International Olympic Committee

Ledley King, Tottenham Hotspur Ambassador

Alexandra Rickman, double Paralympic Bronze Medal sailor

Joe Cooke, professional cricketer and sustainable champion for Glamorgan

Lizzie Carr, paddleboarder, adventurer and campaigner. Founder Planet Patrol.

Radha Balani, Director Design and Facilitation at Think Beyond

Melissa Wilson, British Rower and environmentalist, Champions for Earth

Dr Madelein Orr, Founder of The Sport Ecology Group and Head of Sustainability and Sport at Loughborough University Institute of Sport Business, London

Lewis Pugh, endurance swimmer and environmental campaigner, UN Patron of the Oceans

Lauren MacCallum, General Manager - Protect our Winters UK

A Blue Aurora Media Production for EXTREME

At 3pm on Tuesday 2nd November visitors to the Extreme Hangout at COP26 can hear former NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and composer Amanda Lee Falkenberg talk about their collaboration in music, arts and space. Through the enlightened experiences of astronauts, and the power of a symphony, Nicole and Amanda will take audiences on an immersive journey to the outer solar system. In seven movements, Falkenberg’s composition THE MOONS SYMPHONY® transports to moons of our outer solar system to experience their fascinating worlds to then be brought back to Earth with fresh lens to contemplate “who and where we are in this place”. As astronaut and composer, Stott and Falkenberg are on a planetary campaign to spread the awe and wonder of Space - amplified through the powerful forces of Music and through a celebration of our precious planetary home, they deliver an emotive message that inspires a call to action for the crew of Spaceship Earth. Full details and streaming at www.extremehangoutevents.com 

Elsie is passionate about the planet, concerned the oceans will be overwhelmed by plastic and wants the world's leaders at COP26 to listen, not only to her but also her 73 year-old gran, who has made the journey with her. It's time for meaningful action she tells Jonathan Levy.

Amber Nuttall is a well known climate and environmental activist. She's an Advisor & Ambassador in Chief for Blue Marine Foundation, Executive Board Member at Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF), and describes herself as an Environmentalist & Adventurer. She's also an avid paddle boarder - including the length of the Thames and across the English Channel. In her capacity as the Environmental and Sustainability Director for Extreme, she's worked with the team at the company to develop an exclusive space for youth at COP26: the Extreme Hangout. In this first episode of our podcast series from the Extreme Hangout at COP26 she talks to Jonathan Levy about her love for the planet, belief in the power of young people and what they've created on The Ferry on the Clyde in Glasgow. More details and ticket reservations to free talks and events can be found on the website: www.ExtremeHangoutEvents.com 

EXTREME’s activation at COP26 has been driven by a passion to protect the planet which is our playground. They believe the young generation need a platform for their voice to be heard at COP. They will be impacted the most by the climate crisis and therefore their active participation is of paramount importance. Extreme has made it its mission to give youth a voice at COP26 and beyond. The Hangout is a dynamic hub  where young people can come together at COP26 to hang out, share ideas, learn from others, be inspired and ultimately leave with a renewed passion, understanding and urgency to help drive the green agenda. The Extreme Hangout at COP26 podcast will bring you the latest news and feature interviews from award-winning climate change and science editor Jonathan Levy.