Two pupils from Cumbernauld Academy won the Sheriffdom of Lanarkshire Gala Award at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service public speaking competition.
Phoebe McLean and Layla Hammadi impressed the judges with their presentation, There Can Be No Climate Justice, Without Climate Reparations.
Provost Kenneth Duffy invited the pupils to give their winning presentation to elected members at the Civic Centre in Motherwell.
Congratulating them on their achievement, Provost Duffy said: “Phoebe and Layla gave an impassioned and impressive presentation, and it was very clear they had researched the subject thoroughly.
“Well done to both pupils on a very well-deserved win, they are a credit to their school.”
The girls competed against 35 teams within the South Strathclyde, Dumfries & Galloway Sheriffdom to reach the final which took place at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
They key points of Phoebe and Layla’s speech were that when it comes to climate justice, equality is not sufficient; we need equity. They highlighted the impact of climate injustice on famine rates and the lack of clean water in some countries across the world, which leads to illness and death.
They argued that climate reparations are crucial in the fight for justice for the communities affected by these issues, and by ignoring the problem and not providing sufficient reparations, developed countries are valuing their own lives over those from developing countries.
In conclusion, Pheobe and Layla said “it is up to us to stand up, to say no, and to be the change.”
The public speaking competition represents part of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service’s to improve understanding of equality and diversity issues, and to engage communities and young people in discussion and debate on prominent issues related to it’s work.