Vibrant scenes of marine life co-created by Cornish schoolchildren and counterparts in the United Arab Emirates are being exhibited in Cornwall.

The artwork and poetry entitled We Are The Ocean have transformed Grove Place in Falmouth into an open-air exhibition.

They were created by pupils of Schools Across the Ocean – an international learning and school twinning programme that highlights our connection with the sea and the urgent need for action on climate change.

Uniting 1,000 children in the UK, United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan, Schools Across the Ocean is funded by the British Embassy in the UAE and the British Council. It is regarded as one of the Council’s flagship cultural projects, supporting climate and ocean literacy.

Among those who’ve taken part in the programme, led by education experts at the University of Exeter, are pupils at Falmouth’s King Charles School and St Just School.

The children, aged 9-12, co-created the poems with writers, scientists, educators at the University, the Met Office and academics in the UAE, and these can now be read on the banners that have been installed close to the town’s National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

The installation of the eye-catching displays in Falmouth has been supported by Cornwall Council’s Fal & Helford Special Area of Conservation fund and is part of the Council’s commitment to ocean literacy, through its Motion for the Ocean, which was declared in November 2023.

Launched by the University in 2023 ahead of the United Nations’ COP28 climate conference, Schools Across the Ocean initially brought together 700 pupils from 14 schools in the UK and UAE. With input from marine scientists, artists and education experts, the children learned about coastal and marine life, the role of art in capturing nature, and their shared global and individual environments, and their role to care and protect the ocean.

From this collaboration, the pupils produced their own illustrated poetry anthology and film, which were shared with delegates at the conference. The anthology is in Falmouth’s library, and some of its artwork now adorns the banners in the town.

Dr Sally Flint, Creative Director of We Are The Possible – the award-winning programme of which Schools Across the Ocean is a part – said: “Working with the children, including those here in Cornwall, has been truly inspirational, and it is fantastic to see this work going on display in a town that is both a beacon of sustainability and has such a proud maritime tradition. Through poetry, art, and the films we have made together, the children have demonstrated they can have agency in this world, using their voices to call for concerted action on climate change.”

Karen Hall, Strategic Environmental Officer at Falmouth Town Council, said the artwork complemented the town’s many environmentally focused projects, which are making a positive impact on conservation, biodiversity, and sustainability. These initiatives include the Blue Meadows project, a seagrass restoration effort aimed at protecting and regenerating vital seagrass meadows in the Falmouth area; Falmouth Harbour’s habitiles initiative, designed to enhance marine biodiversity by creating new habitats; and the Rockpool Project, which provides hands-on marine conservation and education for young people.

Karen said: “Falmouth is leading the way in environmental action, from protecting our precious seagrass meadows to creating and protecting habitats that support marine life. This artwork reflects the passion of the next generation, who are not only aware of these efforts but are calling for us to do more. We hope it inspires residents and visitors to appreciate and protect Falmouth’s unique coastal environment.”

Cllr Martyn Alvey, Cornwall Cornwall’s cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: “We hope that the children’s voices and the actions they have taken for the ocean will inspire further conversations and motivate all of us to make positive changes in better looking after our environment.

“Thanks to Falmouth Town Council and Falmouth Harbour Commissioners we are delighted to be able to showcase this vibrant and inspiring art in such a prominent location in Falmouth.”

The programme is also supported by the Met Office, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the University of Khorfakkan (UAE), Ocean Generation, Ocean Generation, Alderney Wildlife Trust and the Field Studies Council.

More information on Schools Across the Ocean, and We Are The Possible, can be found on the GreenFutures website.