Young people to take environmental action

YOUNG people across the county are being urged to take environmental issues into their own hands, by taking part in ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards 2013.

The programme recognises and rewards young people who create environmental-action projects that directly affect and influence their local communities. Clare has been well represented in the awards in recent years with green teens from Ennistymon Vocational School winning the Senior ECO Community Development Award with their project, The River-Boys.

This promoted the local natural amenity of the River Inagh, by developing a new riverside walkway with information boards and installation of recycled benches. They were among the many important projects that appeared at the annual showcase, demonstrating the creativity and ingenuity of Ireland’s young people.

ECO-UNESCO is now calling for young people from every community in Clare to take part. “Last year, more than 5,000 young people took part in the Young Environmentalist Awards. The creative, innovative and forward-thinking projects that they produced have had a direct impact on over 200 local communities. The environment is our greatest natural resource. These young people are amazing caretakers and deserve to be recognised for their efforts” said Elaine Nevin, national director of ECO-UNESCO.

“Young people can have a unique and valuable impact. We’d love to see even more of them get involved in the Young Environmentalist Awards programme and so we’re encouraging teachers, youth groups and young people themselves to contact us to find out how to take part. Our goal is to have every community across the island benefit from the hard work these young people do.”

Once registered, ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards groups can avail of ECO-UNESCO’s advice and support as their projects progress. Registration for the awards closes on November 30. Teachers and youth leaders can register groups of two to 20 young people online at www.ecounesco.ie or by contacting 01 6625491 or yea@ecounesco.ie.

Participants in the programme have until February 2013 to complete their project in one of 10 categories, including climate change, biodiversity, energy, waste, transport, ECO-health and wellbeing. Once they have submitted their project, they have to battle it out in the ECO-Den regional heats to show their project has what it takes to make a real impact.

The awards ceremony will take place in Dublin on May 22, 2013.