New findings highlights young people's fears in Louth about climate change

Almost three out of four young people aged 14-29 in Ireland (73 per cent), including in Louth, are anxious when thinking about climate change, while one out of three are feeling hopeful regarding climate action.

That’s according to newly released interim findings from the 2024 Youth Climate Justice Survey, a joint initiative between ECO-UNESCO and SpunOut.ie, which highlights how young people in Ireland feel about climate justice issues.

The new data was announced by ECO-UNESCO ─ Ireland’s leading environmental education youth organisation ─ together with five other prominent national youth organisations – Feachtas, Irish Girl Guides, the No Name Club, Poppintree Youth Project and Young Irish Filmmakers ─ as part of ECO-UNESCO’s annual Earth Gala climate justice event held on Saturday at the Irish Museum of Modern Art. 

The climate justice event was attended by special guest the Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin Donna Cooney, while Stefania Giannini, assistant director-general for education at UNESCO, welcomed participants to the day with a video message highlighting the importance of youth participation.

 A new Youth Climate Justice Manifesto drawn up at the Earth Gala brought together young people, scholars, policymakers, charity leaders and advocates from across the country to collaborate on solutions for a more sustainable and equitable future.

The day celebrated young people’ action projects as ECO-UNESCO Youth Climate Advocates, and participants worked closely with noted illustrator and artist Maeve Clancy to develop a climate justice communications campaign with interactive comics. Partner organisations presented local climate action projects that they developed over the past months, which included a climate justice mural in Dublin’s Ballymun.

A youth panel discussion on the topic of ‘Voices for Change: How Can Young People be Advocacy Champions?’ was led by the UN Youth Delegate for Ireland and representatives from the Youth Advisory Panel at the Ombudsman for Children’s Office.

Commenting, national director, ECO-UNESCO, Elaine Nevin said: “We were thrilled to welcome over 70 young people from around Ireland to our annual Earth Gala, which is a fantastic opportunity for our Youth Climate Advocates to come together, to share their local action projects and to celebrate their achievements. This year, young people had the opportunity to speak with key experts and policy makers, and to develop a manifesto around climate and environmental issues.

“Our interim Youth Climate Justice Survey results for 2024 show that young people are feeling very anxious about climate change, including young people in Louth, but that one in three are also hopeful. This is important as young people can feel overwhelmed considering the climate and biodiversity loss, but it is important that organisations like ECO-UNESCO can provide a positive outlet and a channel through which young people can take action.”

The Youth Climate Justice Survey collects the views of more than 1,000 young people in Ireland aged 14-29 every year, including from Louth. The 2024 survey is running until 31st December and can be accessed here. The survey is also available in Irish and can be accessed here.

The Earth Gala climate justice event is an in-person event which is part of the Youth Climate Advocate Programme at ECO-UNESCO, funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, through the Youth Climate Justice Fund. It is an annual celebration of youth-led climate action that fosters meaningful conversations on climate justice and advocacy.

Saturday’s Earth Gala showcased innovative projects addressing the climate crisis led by young people from ECO-UNESCO and partner bodies, including fellow national youth organisations Feachtas, Irish Girl Guides, the No Name Club, Poppintree Youth Project and Young Irish Filmmakers.

For more information about ECO-UNESCO, see www.ecounesco.ie.