A select number of Yorkshire's youth climate activists that will be attending the COP26 summit to show the world how climate change impacts young people.
As the COP26 kicks off in Glasgow this week, leaders from around the world are discussing what can be done about the climate crisis.
Here in Leeds, we may not have the Greta Thunberg to share inspiring speeches and start a movement against carbon emissions, but we do have young people aplenty that could rival her presentations.
The Regional Youth Climate Assembly (RYCA) for Yorkshire and the Humber are fuelled by young climate activists ready to take the world on.
Inspired by the work of 18-year-old Greta Thunberg, members of these organisations, amongst other enthused teenagers will be travelling to the COP26 to ensure that the message of working locally to solve a global problem is addressed.
Members of the RYCA after their COP26 meeting. / Image: RYCA Official
Many of these activists believe that climate change is one of the most important challenges for young people to navigate.
According to a Bath University study, almost 60% of young people are either very or extremely worried about the climate crisis.
The study of 10,000 people found that over half of participants believe "humanity is doomed" and fuels much of the anxiety and fear within society today.
The RYCA is made up of teenagers from every corner of Yorkshire, with a particularly strong presence in Leeds, Sheffield and Doncaster.
Speaking out about their organisation, representatives have explained that they are not "just the typical A star students". There are plenty of typically disengaged teenage boys that want to get involved and often ask the RYCA how they can make a difference.
The presence of both the RYCA and other local climate activist groups like Youth4Climate Leeds have made Leeds into a prominent city for climate activism, holding strikes and sharing endless petitions online to make the public aware of their responsibility to the planet.
A recent climate emergency strike held by Youth4Climate Leeds. / Image: Youth4Climate Leeds
However past workshops and events will soon be considered a small step compared to the RYCA's venture to the COP26 this week.
The Yorkshire activists will be showing their project entitled 'The Ripple Effect', a film that showcases young people's voices across the world.
The project will allow young people to share their personal experiences of climate change: from the droughts in South Africa to 10-year-olds sharing the life-changing effects of flooding.
Regional climate meetings are more prominent in Yorkshire than any other county, according to the RYCA.
There are currently no similar groups in Cambridgeshire or Kent, areas that have been previously known for activism.
To follow RYCA's journey at the COP26 summit, visit their Instagram page.
A Yorkshire-born and bred artist and his creative team have earned the huge honour of creating the official FIFA scarf collection for this year's World Cup.
Nothing short of massive for anyone from our part of the world.
The local legend in question is Tom Pitts, who was born in Sheffield and is now based just beyond Leeds, leading the campaign right from the helm.
Hand Drawn Pixels is a graphic design and digital studio based in Otley, and while you'll see plenty of folks wearing football shirts and even the odd scarf on the town's famous pub crawl, these lot are venturing on an entirely different kind of run this summer.
In fact, the work has very much already started, with Tom and co. collaborating directly with FIFA and US manufacturers, Global Scarves, to create the World Cup collection.
With this year's tournament obviously taking place across America, Mexico and Canada, they've joined up with a big LLC, but they describe themselves as "a true English custom scarf company with American parents."
In their words, "We knit scarves for clients all over the world", with a presence both near Leeds and over in Seattle, Washington.
The fixtures themselves kick off next month (England's first game coming against Croatia on 17 June), and so Hand Drawn Pixels have been hard at work meeting the briefs for each of the nations taking part.
Here's a quick breakdown of how the opportunity came about, their vision for the project, and how everything starts for them as a whole process.
You can see more of their work HERE, but as the brand name would suggest, it's pretty simple to begin with: nothing more than a pencil.
It's worth noting that the 2026 World Cup also featured the largest number of teams in the competition's history: 48 qualified national squads, to be exact. So, technically, they've had even more designing to do than they theoretically would have in any of the previous years, too.
Tom confessed that winning this bid is obviously a big deal on its own and that seeing his creations being worn in person by supporters at the stadiums will be a "surreal" experience.
Speaking exclusively with The Hoot, he said: "It’s been an amazing creative challenge for us to truly reflect the individuality and diversity of the nations competing in this prestigious tournament on such an iconic product as the football scarf."
He went on to add that "the whole project has been a huge learning experience, gaining deeper cultural insight into every nation involved."
We can't wait to cast eyes upon a sea of colour and finely crafted fabric in unique but somehow universally familiar patterns, all designed right here in 'God's Own Country'.
Award-winning Sardinian restaurant Domo announces Leeds opening date
Clementine Hall
Domo will officially open the doors to its Leeds venue this summer.
Get ready for Domo Leeds, a Sardinian independent born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities from homemade pasta dishes to show-stopping grills.
They've also got a banging cocktail menu full of signature serves and refreshing spritz, perfect for enjoying with friends over some delicious sharing plates.
Images: The Sheff
Domo has confirmed it will officially open the doors to its first Leeds venue on Friday June 5, so we really don't have long to wait.
Located at the iconic Tower Works development, Domo Leeds will offer a vibrant new canal-side destination, perfect for the summer months.
Alongside the main restaurant menu, there’ll be a dedicated bar food menu designed around relaxed dining and carefully crafted small plates designed to pair with the drinks offering creating a more informal way for guests to experience Sardinian flavours.
Domo co-founder, Sarah Elliott-Busceddu, said: “We’re incredibly excited to finally open the doors and welcome people into Domo Leeds. From day one, our vision has been to create a space where everyone feels welcome and somewhere that brings people together in the true spirit of Sardinian hospitality.
“Whether it’s an evening out with friends, a relaxed catch-up over drinks after work, or a big family celebration, we’ve designed Domo to feel warm, inclusive and full of life. We can’t wait for people in Leeds to experience not just the food and drinks, but the atmosphere and sense of community that sits at the heart of everything we do.”
Sophie Smith -
1st November 2021 
