Young Climate Activists from Green Limerick Shine in National Awards Finals

Limerick’s Young Activists Shine at ECO-UNESCO Awards

Young climate activists from County Limerick are making waves! They are among the finalists in this year’s ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA). This exciting news came just in time for Earth Day, celebrated on April 22.

The awards ceremony will occur on May 8 at the Convention Centre Dublin. Three groups from local schools—Scoil Pól in Kilfinane and Coláiste Ióasef in Kilmallock—are part of the 102 national finalists. These students successfully competed in the semi-final ECO-Dens event held in March.

These finalists will showcase their innovative eco-projects at the ceremony.

Elaine Nevin, national director of ECO-UNESCO, shared her thoughts on this year’s finalists. She noted that the selected projects align beautifully with Earth Day’s theme: “Our Power, Our Planet.” This theme emphasizes the importance of renewable energy in building a sustainable future. Nevin encouraged everyone to act—whether through adopting green energy or participating in local and global initiatives.

She added, "Through these projects, young people are crucial in raising awareness about environmental issues and inspiring their communities."

Limerick’s impressive projects include:

• City Greens from Scoil Pól. This initiative focuses on bringing sustainable farming methods to urban areas. Using hydroponics and aquaponics, they aim to help city dwellers grow healthy food in tight spaces.

• Wild Ireland Card Game + Digital Link from Coláiste Ióasef. This educational card game helps people learn about native Irish animals. Each card contains fun facts and QR codes linking to more information.

• We’ve Got Worms! also from Coláiste Ióasef. This project tackles food waste by promoting vermiculture. The students spread awareness via social media and workshops, showing how worm composting can reduce waste and improve soil health. They plan to help other schools set up their own worm composters.

The efforts of these young activists are part of a larger trend. According to a recent survey, 75% of young people feel strongly about climate change and want to contribute to solutions. The youth voice is a vital force in today’s environmental movement.

Events like the YEA showcase the hard work of young minds tackling real-world issues. As these Limerick students head to the awards, they inspire others to take action and think about sustainability in creative ways.

For more on how renewable energy can change our planet, check out the International Renewable Energy Agency.

Source link