Broadcasters Konnie Huq, Cel Spellman, and Dr Amir Khan lend their support

Free online resources explore saving energy and water, reducing our impact on the environment and feeling closer to nature

Encourages teens to drive change and use their voices to make a difference

A wealth of resources for primary teachers includes a Live Lesson on World Science Day

BBC Bitesize, who helped to educated the nation during lockdown are now back with The Regenerators, a brand new initiative to inspire 5-16 year olds across the UK to lead a greener lifestyle and thrive in a more sustainable world.

Ahead of COP26, the UN’s upcoming climate change conference in Glasgow, this new initiative covers all aspects of sustainability, embracing science, technology, creativity, the natural world, practical action and influencing others.

Climate change is a major concern of young people today.* Whether at home or school, The Regenerators will equip them with the knowledge and tools to understand the issues associated with it and how our collective actions can make a real difference. Inspiring content will offer practical steps that give young people agency, enabling their voices to be heard and to drive the change they feel so passionate about.

The initiative is backed by broadcasters Konnie Huq, Cel Spellman, and Dr Amir Khan who front a number of the resources to encourage kids to make a change.

Konnie says: “I’m passionate about the environment and sustainability and as a mum want to encourage my kids to care for the planet. I’ve made a number of lifestyle changes including no longer buying clothes. I’m not growing, and I’ve got so many I reuse those I have as much as possible. I drive an electric car and I pretty much only buy things if there is no other option.”

Through BBC Bitesize, The Regenerators will support primary school teachers to deliver lessons on the environment and sustainability. A series of online resources, featuring videos, quizzes, activities and tips will cover key topics around climate change and the environment, allowing teachers to bring the best of the BBC’s content directly into the classroom. The Regenerators is also working with partners across the science and environment sectors bringing expert insight directly to young people.

On World Science Day, Wednesday 10 November, Naomi Wilkinson will present a Live Lesson. Bitesize: The Regenerators - Climate Change Live Lesson is aimed at KS2 students and will broadcast live at 11am on CBBC and on the BBC Teach website. This cross-curricular lesson will help children understand what climate change is, why it is happening and offer practical tips to help tackle it. From January, The Regenerators and BBC Teach will offer further Live Lessons in partnership with the Natural History Unit.

The incredible achievements of young people across the UK working to drive change will also be celebrated. In 2022, an online Hall Of Fame will be created to showcase the stories and the people that are helping to shape the future and inspire more young people to get involved.

Patricia Hidalgo, Director BBC Children’s and Education says: “We know our young audiences want to know more about the environment, the challenges we all face, the practical steps we can take and how they can empower themselves to make their voices heard. The Regenerators is an essential part of our long-term commitment to educate, inspire and celebrate the difference young people are making to create a more sustainable future.”

The Regenerators is part of Our Planet Now, the BBC’s ongoing commitment to programming which explores the environment and the challenges facing the natural world.

For more information about The Regenerators, please visit the website www.bbc.co.uk/regenerators

*Research carried out for BBC Newsround in October 2019 found that, of the over 2,000 young people aged 8 to 16 polled, nearly three quarters (73%) said they are worried about the state of the planet right now - including 22% who say they are very worried. The research was conducted by Savanta-ComRes for the BBC. Data was weighted to be demographically representative of all UK children.

Research carried out for National Grid revealed that 85% of children admit to worrying about the future of the planet. Research was by One Poll in June 2021, polling 2,000 children aged 7-16 based in the UK.