Queen Elizabeth High School student Pamela Masabo's trip to Paris was going to be the trip of a lifetime, a chance to see Europe and make a difference at the same time.

Masabo was one of three Edmonton students and two teachers expected to present a paper at the upcoming climate change conference in Paris.

"I'm simply the spokesperson for thousands of people so it is a large disappointment in the grand scheme of things," said Masabo after finding out Monday the trip is canceled.

The Edmonton Public school board informed the Edmonton contingent that in light of last Friday's terror attacks in Paris, they were no longer going.

"Student safety and security are always paramount in making decisions about all student trips," said Edmonton Public Schools spokesperson Brad Stromberg. "In light of events and circumstances in France's capital, the decision was made not to travel."

The students are part of a program which is sponsored by the Center for Global Education, which is based in Edmonton.

Over 10,000 teenagers around the globe had been contacted online, and by phone to gather ideas on how they can help reduce their carbon footprint.

The information gathered was written into a paper, which will still be presented to world leaders at the conference, known as the COP21, next month.

"The kids are devastated, they have invested their lunch hours, their after school time, their weekends, collaborating with kids across the planet to create this paper," said program director Terry Godwaldt.

"The rest of the world is going to be there, but they're not going to have an opportunity. They're disappointed, but they understand."

More than 40,000 delegates including the world's leaders are expected to take in the highly anticipated climate change conference which starts at the end of November.

"The conference is still going on and our work will still be put out there, so it could be worse," Masabo said.