The last years has been one of great challenge, ingenuity and adaptation. Sure a lot of it has sucked, but some aspects have actually left me feeling upbeat and confident that the future will be better.

Why the optimism

Most years I participate in delivery and support of the University of New England’s Growing Regional & Agricultural Students in Science (UNE GRASS). This year was no different, except we moved the camp I help out with online.

The task I normally present the students is one around the issues of food security and resource use. This is currently very topical, with the challenges highlighted in the last decade of producing more food whilst doing less damage has been captured in recent films such as Kiss the Ground and David Attenborough’s A Life on Our Planet.

Anyway, with the half day of me demonstrating the science, explaining the ideas and helping deliver an elevator pitch out of the window….we consolidated the challenge into a 7 minute video clip.

Improving outreach

Normally we host about 20 to 30 students on a GRASS camp, but going on-line meant we could stretch resources further and so we did not have to restrict the earlier applicants. On the back of the clip over thirty high school students prepared, recorded and submitted their ‘elevator pitch’ on what they saw as the challenges to #FoodSecurity and their solutions to #FeedTheWorld.

Blown away

Normally the student’s have overnight to compose and get ready to present their pitches. The results are often spectacular and sometimes so far reaching that you feel there is hope for the human race. However, this year not only were we overwhelmed with the number of responses, but also in their level of quality, ideas and professionalism.

So could you be persuaded to change the world?

We don’t just want you to take my word for it though. Have a look and listen for yourself to these wonderful students about what they see is important in securing our future food security in one or both of these 3 minute elevator pitch videos.

If you are a politician, world leader or just generally responsible person, then perhaps the next time one of these young people approaches you and starts telling you about what is important to them, because it is important for us all, you’ll listen because they are #HungryForChange.

Here’s hoping for a better 2021, whilst knowing our future is in safe hands.