By Dr Verity Jones, Associate Professor in Education
On 30 September 2025, Sparks Bristol was filled with energy and optimism as over 100 young changemakers gathered for the Earth Day Heroes Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Global Goals Centre (GGC). From Bristol to Bangladesh, young people came together to celebrate the inspiring work they’ve been doing to make the planet better for everyone and everything.
These youth-led projects, spanning rewilding, recycling, campaigning, and creative storytelling, have involved over 7,000 participants taking active, positive steps toward sustainability, justice, and community care. It was a powerful reminder that young people are not just the future, they are part of the solution now.
Grounded in UWE Bristol research
This event and the initiatives it launched are deeply connected to research conducted at UWE Bristol. In particular, the Bristol Uniform Challenge (BUC) was launched at the ceremony. This draws directly on findings from a paper I co-authored with Dr Tessa Podpadec exploring children’s understanding of fast fashion and its impacts. The study, Young people, climate change and fast fashion futures, published in Environmental Education Research, revealed that while many young people are aware of climate issues, the links to everyday clothing choices are often overlooked.
School uniforms offer a tangible entry point for discussing sustainability, equity, and global supply chains. Through BUC, we aim to co-develop practical solutions with schools that reduce waste, support ethical production, and ease financial pressures on families – while embedding sustainability into everyday school life.
Celebrating youth leadership
The Earth Day Heroes event featured contributions from Naomi Wilkinson (BBC Children’s wildlife presenter), a creative workshop from Aardman Animations, and award presentations by Dr Mya-Rose Craig (Birdgirl) and Cllr Henry Michallat, the Lord Mayor of Bristol. Their presence helped affirm the importance of youth-led action and the value of recognising it publicly.
As an Associate Professor at UWE Bristol, I’ve worked with the Global Goals Centre for over seven years, developing projects that centre social and environmental justice, creative engagement, and inclusive education. The Earth Day Heroes initiative is a living example of how research and practice can come together to support meaningful youth participation.
Looking ahead
Young people are now invited to begin developing their projects for the 2026 Earth Day Heroes Awards, continuing the momentum and deepening their engagement.
As educators and researchers, it’s vital that we create spaces where young people feel empowered to act, reflect, and lead. This event was more than a celebration, it was a demonstration of how research, practice, and youth voice can come together to shape a better future.
