Farnborough sixth former to recite poem as part of COP26 climate summit

A sixth former at Farnborough Hill school is to recite a poem as part of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.

Renée wrote the poem 'a united solution' as part of an international competition.

She's described taking part in the event as ‘an exciting opportunity’ to speak out against climate injustice.

Renée said: “Awareness has been raised, but we need to see immediate change.

“Climate change is an imminent threat and there are things we can do really quickly. The theme of this poetry competition really resonated with me.”

Farnborough Hill Head, Mrs Alexandra Neil, added: “We are extraordinarily proud of Renée’s achievement.

“We are thrilled that she has earned this tremendous opportunity to add her voice to the crucial discussions taking place during this vitally important global event.”

Renée’s poem ‘a united solution’:

the solution isn’t ‘go green’.

rather, it’s quite a marshy brown;

all the colours on the spectrum thrust together,

pulled into braided harmony.

might the sagging glaciers of the himalayas, dribbling into the yangtze and the indus,

be nourished with kitschy korean neoprene?

those gutsy, ebullient women divers; grasping cold abalone.

the waning coral reefs

crumbling into chroma before your eyes –

your child’s eyes

might they be galvanized by ghanaian manganese,

buzzing phone-chip’s life and breath?

it’s coalition we need; london’s taxis fueling lima’s arid faucets,

china’s offal coursing through phones rather than waters,

tit-for-tat, recycling, redistribution –

and if everyone made some contribution

today’s teetering future might be solid, stuck

here’s a prayer for humanity and good luck.