“There is no Planet B” Poetry Competition
As the world looks ahead to COP30 in Brazil, Space Park Leicester and the National Centre for Earth Observation are calling on poets, dreamers and changemakers to put pen to paper.
Our “There is no Planet B” poetry competition celebrates creativity, climate action and our shared responsibility for Planet A — with prizes, publication opportunities, and a celebration event here at Space Park Leicester.
Get creative with Space Park Leicester and the National Centre for Earth Observation
As the world prepares for Belém, we invite you to express your creativity. Whatever your age, have a go at writing a poem inspired by the theme “There is no Planet B.”
You might use the phrase as your title, include it in your poem, or simply take it as inspiration.
You can write about:
- The complexity of the climate, or focus on a single aspect of Planet A – as it is now, or as it might be
- The world as a whole, or zoom in on a country, community, or individual perspective
What matters most is that your poem makes people think – and is your own, unpublished work.
Your poem – Write. Imagine. Inspire.
- May be in any form, including free verse or prose poetry
- Must be no more than 40 lines long (or 500 words for prose poetry), not counting the title
- Should be sent to outreach@space-park.co.uk with a completed entry form (below)
- Use the group entry form if you are submitting multiple entries from a class or group
- Must arrive by 23:59 (UK time) on Sunday 16 November 2025
The full list of rules is included on the entry form — please read them carefully before submitting.
Age categories
There are three categories:
- Under 11 (primary school)
- 11 – 16 (secondary school)
- Over 16
Prizes and celebration
Winners in each category will be invited to the Space Park Leicester COP30 Celebration Event, taking place 16:00 – 18:30 on Wednesday 19 November 2025.
Each winner will be invited to read their poem at the event and will also receive a family ticket to the National Space Centre.
Winning poems will be displayed on screens throughout the evening.
What happens next
After the competition, we’ll create an e-book featuring as many entries as possible, combined with images of Earth from space.
The entry form includes a question asking for permission to publish your poem — you’ll always be credited as the author, and you’ll retain full copyright.
Competition Rules
- You can submit one poem per person.
- Your poem must be written in English, but you don’t have to live in the UK.
- Your poem must have a title and be no more than 40 lines long (500 words for prose poetry).
- The poem must be your own original work and not AI-generated.
- You may ask someone else to type or write out your poem if you need help, but they must not change the content.
- Submit your poem as a .txt, .rtf, .doc, .docx, .pdf, or a clear photo (no names on the document or image).
- Previously published poems — including those shared online — and poems that have been placed in another competition before 1 October 2025 are not eligible.
- You must include a completed entry form with your poem.
- Entries must be sent to outreach@space-park.co.uk and received by 23:59 (UK time) on Sunday 16 November 2025.
- Please be patient: it may take a few days to confirm receipt.
- Judges will read all entries. Their decision is final and no feedback will be offered.
- Winners will be notified by noon on Tuesday 18 November 2025.
- If a winner cannot attend, we’ll arrange for their poem to be read at the event and their prize delivered.
- All entrants will receive a list of prizewinners by the end of November.
- You retain copyright of your poem at all times.
- If you win your age category, accepting your certificate or prize means giving NCEO and Space Park Leicester permission to share your poem at the event and across publications, websites and social media.
Questions?
For any queries about the competition or submission process, please contact: outreach@space-park.co.uk
Join us in celebrating creativity, climate action and our shared home — Planet A.
#SpaceParkCommunity
To explore Space Park Leicester partnerships, missions, residents, facilities, training programmes and innovation products, visit www.space-park.co.uk or to learn more about the University of Leicester visit https://le.ac.uk/