Budding young climate warriors came together in June for the Tasmanian Youth Climate Leaders Conference, with more than 200 students attending the event at the University of Tasmania.
Funded by the Tasmanian Government Climate Change Office and led by Sustainable Living Tasmania, the conference aimed to build a network of young people passionate about climate science, climate justice, renewable energy, STEM, and sustainability.
Involving both primary and secondary students, this new generation of climate warriors worked to develop climate action plans they could enact within their schools and local communities.
Hearing from scientists and specialists in sustainability, students engaged in workshops covering renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste, slow fashion, biodiversity, food security, sustainable transport, climate resilience and climate justice.
Corpus Christi Catholic School sustainability teacher Luch Brighella attended the conference with a group of the school’s year six student leaders.
“What a great experience this was for our students learning about climate change, the impact that this is having on our world and most importantly, what we as global citizens can do to live more sustainably,” he said in a statement.
“Our young sustainability leaders, with the support of our school principal, will be running a climate action week later this year.
“This will be a wonderful and exciting way to encourage our students, staff and families to do their bit in caring for our common home.”
Sustainable Living Tasmania hopes to create a network of inspired young people excited to pursue further opportunities, studies, careers, and volunteering to combat climate change.
These conferences have been an annual program since 2017, each year growing in popularity as more schools around Tasmania become involved.
The Tasmanian government has pledged a one-off grant of $180,000 to develop the leadership program over two years as a part of the state’s Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy.
Thanks to this funding, all registered schools were granted a small amount of money for students to enact climate projects in their schools and communities.
This conference comes as part of the state government’s recent push to promote sustainability in education.
The Tasmanian government also promised twelve state schools a $2000 grant to develop their sustainable programs as part of the Keep Australia Beautiful Tasmania Sustainable Schools initiative.
Clarence Climate Action members were mentors in the conference and selected the Tasmanian Youth Climate Leaders as this month’s Climate Champions.
Follow-up second conferences will happen in Hobart on 11 September, Burnie on 13 September, and Launceston on 14 September when teams will report back on their progress.
