GCSE and A-Level Geography students from across six schools within Meridian Trust took part in a thought-provoking lecture titled “Sinking Islands and the Geopolitics of Climate Change”.
The session, hosted at Ely College and streamed online across all participating schools, was organised by Geography Curriculum Director, Mike Smith, and delivered by Dr. Liam Saddington, a Teaching Associate in Human Geography at the University of Cambridge.
Known for his expertise in the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations, Dr. Saddington introduced students to how rising sea levels are threatening low-lying island nations like Tuvalu.
His talk was split into three key areas: Sinking Islands, Adaptation, and Diplomacy, highlighting how these islands are struggling with environmental damage, how local communities are working to adapt, and how global leaders are responding to the crisis.
Throughout the session for the 70 students, Dr. Saddington emphasised the resilience of these island communities, sharing real-life examples of how they are finding creative ways to cope with rising sea levels. He also discussed the role of international diplomacy in addressing climate change, helping students see the bigger picture of how different countries work together, or sometimes struggle to do so, to protect these vulnerable nations.
The session was well-received, with students expressing how helpful and inspiring it was. Dr. Saddington’s passion and expertise left a lasting impression on attendees, with one Year 13 student from Ely College shared: “An incredibly interesting and informative lecture which will not only help with my A-Level Geography but has also inspired me to travel and see more of the world.”
The event was also an excellent opportunity for students to engage with cutting-edge research and see how their studies connect to real-world, reinforcing the importance of studying Geography, both in school and beyond.
It is through sessions like this that students at Meridian Trust have been encouraged to broaden their perspectives and consider how they, as future global citizens, can contribute to a more sustainable future. The trust hopes that sessions like this will also better equip students with the knowledge and tools to better comprehend and navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world.
