Leeds schoolgirl launches climate change petition after being inspired by Greta Thunberg

Esther Adamson hoped her petition would get around 100 signatures when it was started three weeks ago.

It has already been signed by more than 2,400 people and she is determined to get thousands more.

Esther, of Alwoodley, who has been inspired by Greta Thunberg and Sir David Attenborough, wants to get 10,000 signatures to ensure the petition will be discussed in Parliament.

The Manor Wood Primary School pupil said: "If we can stop climate change then we can save the planet. I feel very strongly about it."

Before lockdown, Esther got permission from her school to go with her parents to at least three Friday climate change protests in Millennium Square in Leeds city centre

In April, she emailed Boris Johnson's office to register her concerns about climate change.

She received a standard email back stating she would hear something within 14 days, but she didn't get a further reply.

Esther decided she wanted to do more and launched the petition on September 26.

The petition is called 'The UK government to take action for climate change and help save the planet.'

Esther's mum Amanda Moorhouse and dad Richard Adamson are supporting her petition.

Mr Adamson said: "Like a lot of children her age, she has been influenced by Greta Thunberg and she is a big fan of David Attenborough's TV shows.

"She has got the school involved in the petition and she is in the Guides and has got them involved .

"She asked us to help promote it with family and friends on Facebook and it has snowballed."

The petition states: "We the next generation are deeply concerned and uncertain about the environment and we can’t bear how some people are treating it .

"Those in government, businesses and the population, need to know that this planet we live in is not just ours but belongs to every single living thing on this earth.

"We are writing this petition because we know that you, the Government, are not taking action fast enough and we know you have the power to help change things.

"What we have learned from the coronavirus crisis is the importance of working together as one world, to help solve international problems. Why can’t we work as a team on the climate change emergency?"

"We have all the facts from scientists and it is paramount that we act now before it is too late."

"Fossil fuels are a big problem to the planet. It would help if we drove as little as possible and cycled and walked more.

"We would require better public transport, that is more affordable and more cycle lanes to encourage alternatives to cars.

"Instead of using fossil fuels in our homes we should be using reusable energy sources e.g sun and wind. It is cheap, natural and everlasting and the only way forward."

It adds: "We need to invest in all our futures and work with scientists to develop alternatives that are not harmful to our one planet. We need to work with other governments and bring an international response to this disaster."

Fabian Hamilton, Leeds North East Labour MP, said: “It’s fantastic to see young people leading the way in the campaign against climate change, especially locally.

"To get more than 2,400 signatures is an incredible achievement and Esther is right to raise these concerns as her generation, and those that come after, will likely bear the brunt of the damage climate change will cause to our planet and our way of life.

"As Esther points out, it’s absolutely vital that we work together as a society to ensure that the climate emergency we are now facing is tackled through real investment from the top in renewable energy and the phasing out of fossil fuels, which will improve, not only our environment, but also our health.

"I’m hugely grateful to Esther and her family for the time and commitment they have shown in organising this petition.”

The Prime Minister's office was contacted for a comment.