Young Methodist climate change activist receives Diana award

Jamie Hawker, aged 15, who attends Long Eaton Methodist Church, has been recognised with one of the highest accolades a young person can achieve for social action – The Diana Award.

Jamie received his award in an online ceremony that took place on Friday, 1st July.

Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, the award is given out by the charity of the same name and has the support of both her sons, The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex.

Jamie is a 'Green Agent of Change' with the Methodist Church. During the first lockdown in 2020, Jamie co-wrote a book with his parents entitled 'Changing the Climate: Applying the Bible in a climate emergency', to encourage people to take action on climate justice. This was published in 2021.

Jamie has given talks about plastic waste and climate change in his community and has been interviewed in churches and online. Personally, James does what he can to reduce his own carbon emissions.

Lynne Norman, Mission and Community Engagement Development Officer with the Children, Youth and Families Team of the Methodist Church is the person who nominated Jamie. Lynne commented, “Jamie is an active member of the Methodist Green Agents of Change network of young people and a committed environmental campaigner. He has achieved so much to tackle climate justice and it’s wonderful to see his hard work recognised.”

Jamie commented, “'Climate change is worse than Covid because whilst there are now quite a few vaccines for coronavirus, there is no vaccine or cure for climate change. If it starts damaging the world, unlike Covid, it’s unstoppable. Also, Covid doesn’t make the weather worse. It doesn’t kill plants and animals and force them out of their natural habitats."

"I'm very grateful to receive this award. I hope I will have inspired other people to take action on climate change, because we all need to take action."