Over 400 secondary school students attended Wicklow’s second Youth Climate Conference, titled Our Climate Our Future, held at East Glendalough School on Tuesday, 26th November. The event was organised by a committee of sixteen transition year students with support from Codling Wind Park and Wicklow County Council. Students from eight different secondary schools in Greystones, Kilcoole, and Wicklow participated in the conference.
The event was officially opened by the Leas-Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, who commended East Glendalough School's principal, Craig Petrie, and TY Coordinator, Jim Gargan, for hosting the event, as well as Codling Wind Park for partnering with Wicklow County Council in making it possible. She expressed her admiration, saying, “It is truly inspiring to witness so many local secondary schools coming together for this conference. Events like this ensure that our climate future is in capable hands, and today’s event may inspire positive change for years to come.”
The conference, co-hosted by Ruth Scott and students Mia Ryan, Ruby Neill, and Daniel Delahunt, featured presentations on renewable energy, offshore wind, fast fashion, and climate action through local government. David Lawlor from Green Ocean Coffee spoke about the benefits of native oyster restoration and how businesses can contribute positively to environmental efforts.
Victory Luke, a Youth Sustainability Ambassador, shared insights on how young people can make a difference by being active, confident, and pursuing their passions. Nina McGowan, the Irish Freediving Champion, addressed climate anxiety and emphasized the importance of caring for both the body and mind for personal well-being.
The conference also included a careers panel discussing climate-related job opportunities in various government departments and the potential of renewable energy sectors, particularly offshore wind. A key goal of the youth climate conference was to amplify the voices of young people in Wicklow, empowering them to speak out about the climate crisis. The organising committee carefully chose the main topics to inspire attendees to become lifelong advocates for a sustainable future.
Education is essential in addressing climate change, and related topics have become a part of the learning at various stages of Ireland’s educational program, including the Leaving Certificate curriculum. Climate literacy has evolved from being a peripheral issue to a central focus, shaping public beliefs, attitudes, policy preferences, and behaviours toward climate action.
The conference aimed to raise awareness among younger generations about the impact of climate change on socio-economic development, environmental sustainability, and biodiversity, while also promoting actionable solutions to adapt to and mitigate its effects. It serves as an annual platform for youth to engage with policymakers at both the local and national levels on climate issues.
This year, a significant majority of Wicklow students believed that improving public transport should be the top priority for creating a cleaner environment. Eighty-one percent of the 400 transition year students stated that enhancing local bus and train connections was the most pressing issue, followed by increased investment in renewable energy resources and better recycling and waste management.
When asked about their confidence in reversing the most severe impacts of climate change, 16% of students expressed strong confidence, 52% were unsure, and 32% felt unconfident.
Co-hosts Ruby, Mia, and Daniel wrapped up the conference by emphasizing that while students are not responsible for causing climate change, they can play a vital role in finding solutions.