Young environmentalists across Dublin have been named top winner’s at the 23rd Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA) on the 19th of May. Hosted by ECO-UNESCO and RTE presenter, Clara Murray, The Young Environmentalist Awards programme took place virtually and were officially opened by Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Communications, Eamonn Ryan made an address. The YEAs is a nationwide programme that recognises and rewards young people aged 10-18 who have taken environmental action in their school or community, and created and come up with creative solutions to solve environmental issues.
Over 2,000 young people have been involved in this year’s programme. Central Remedial Clinic won a Special Teamwork Award for their work on their Wellness Garden. A group from Oatlands College have also taken home the title of Junior Waste Category winners for their project Bad Beach Clean which focused on protecting marine life and cleaning our local beaches. Other Category Winners from Dublin include, Eco Unesco Youth Climate Justice Group who won a Special Sustainable Development Goals Award for their project on Coral Bleaching and the impact of Pollution on Marine Environments and Solution Pollution, who won the Super Junior Waste Category.
Elaine Nevin, Director of ECO-UNESCO said “Year on year the Young Environmentalist Awards Programme continues to showcase the very best of youth climate action, innovation and sustainability amongst our Schools, YouthReaches and Youth Groups. We are overwhelmed with the quality of the work, every project has undertaken this year and what a privilege to be able to showcase these projects this week, particularly as we celebrate Biodiversity week.” “In a recent survey by ECO-UNESCO, 60% of young people feel anxious about climate change so the Young Environmentalists Awards Programme is a great opportunity for young people to take the necessary steps to relieve these anxieties, involve their local communities and work towards building a better future.”
To celebrate, ECO-UNESCO hosted ECO-Week, from 16th to 20th May, including a range of environmental workshops, well-being activities, talks, and challenges for young people alongside the YEA Final Ceremony. For more information on the Young Environmentalist Awards and all the awardees, please go to www.yea.ie
