Akhil Amlani (OE), the 18-year-old winner of Defra’s 2007/08 Climate Change Champions competition, met with Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, at City Hall last week, to discuss climate change issues.
The meeting took place following the recent launch of the Mayor’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, which considers the impact that past and present carbon emissions will have on London’s climate.
Akhil was particularly keen to ask the Mayor if he thought the Thames Barrier was still adequate to protect London from extreme weather. He also wanted to know about future plans to encourage cycling, roof garden planting and other green initiatives across the capital.
Boris Johnson said: “Akhil is a superb example of how everyone, young and old, can get involved in tackling emissions and fighting climate change in London. It was a pleasure to meet him and discuss his sterling work as a Climate Change Champion. I wish him every success in his role and look forward to his involvement in relevant mayoral projects in the future.”
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After the visit, Akhil Amlani, London Climate Change Champion from Hendon said: “Meeting the London Mayor was a great experience and he answered my questions about climate change in London, reduction of carbon emissions and becoming increasingly energy efficient. I was keen to learn that the Mayor shares my views on increasing cycling provision in London and hope that soon it will become safer and easier to cycle around the capital.”
He continued: “The Mayor was particularly interested in the ecological garden I created with my friends this Summer at the Queen Elizabeth‘s School in Barnet, using the prize money received from Defra, when I won the regional climate change champion competition earlier this year.
“I built the garden on previously unused land and incorporated British grown drought-resistant plants; solar energy lighting; and recycled materials. This is similar to the Mayor’s plans to create green ‘cooling’ areas in the form of public gardens that are ‘water efficient’ and will also be aesthetically pleasing.”