Young people will put their climate questions to a panel of politicians and environment experts.

With students across the county growing increasingly concerned by the lack of action over climate change, the Youth Climate Question Time event will give them the chance to have their tough questions answered.

The panel includes: Penrith and the Border MP Rory Stewart; Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron; Workington MP Sue Hayman; Green Party councillor Helen Davison; Extinction Rebellion member Henry Goodwin; and author Mike Berners-Lee.

The diverse, cross-party panel will give a broad range of opinions and expertise on the subject, which has taken hold of the political agenda.

Isabella Bridgman, 14, from Cockermouth, said: “I think this is a really good opportunity for young people from across Cumbria to get their voice heard and speak to people in power.

“We want to talk to politicians and ask what they will do about while they are in power.”

Cumbria Action for Sustainability decided to organise the event after a consensus was reached by young people at the Youth Climate Summit in April.

Members made it clear they wanted more opportunities to be able to speak to and influence those who are in positions of power.

Hazel Graham, chief executive for Cumbria Action for Sustainability, said: “We are hugely excited to give young people this unique opportunity to make their voices heard by such an influential panel, which came out as a top priority for them at Cumbria’s first-ever youth climate summit in Carlisle in April.”

As it takes place during school hours, schools are encouraged to send along a small group of teachers and pupils.

“Young people have the most to lose if today’s adults do not take rapid and meaningful action to tackle the climate crisis, and they are calling on governments do more to protect their future - as we’ve seen with the school strikes and new youth climate movements,” Hazel added.

Clare Rodger, 14, from Cockermouth, said: “Children have a lot of unanswered questions about things like climate change and about what people have the power to do. I hope this event will answer some of those questions.”

The Youth Climate Question Time panel takes place on July 5 at Penrith Leisure Centre.