“While global data often shows that we are falling behind on our environmental targets, the passion we saw in Roscommon suggests that the next generation is more than ready to step up.”
The energy at the Kilbride Community Centre in Co. Roscommon was absolutely incredible on Wednesday 22nd April, as we joined over 400 young people for the local Career and Employment Exhibition hosted by our organisation, Roscommon LEADER Partnership. There was a massive turnout, with the hall lively from early morning, as secondary school students and young adult job seekers explored their future opportunities. Our Planet Pulse EU Project Team was right in the centre of it, and we couldn't have asked for a better response from the local community.
We set up our Planet Pulse stall with a very specific goal in mind: to talk about the intersection of career prospects in our local community and the state of our planet. It is no secret that many young people today are carrying a heavy weight when it comes to the environment. Whether it is worry about the future, or a sense of anger at the lack of global action, these feelings are a real part of daily life for them. We spent the day chatting with attendees and sharing information about how our project aims to take that heavy so-called “climate anxiety” and transform it into the action needed for genuine climate justice. It became clear very quickly that the vast majority of the young people in attendance viewed climate change as an urgent, time-sensitive matter. The climate anxiety was palpable in our conversations.
One of the highlights of the day was our creative competition, which was open specifically to those aged 16 to 30 years. We asked participants to sit with us for a while and answer one core question: ‘How does climate change make you feel?’ To add excitement and drive, there were three €50 One4All vouchers up for grabs for the most impactful entries. The response was both moving and eye-opening.
Most people chose to write down their thoughts, while others also sketched out their emotions, with the common thread being a deep sense of concern for the world we all live in and share. By giving these feelings a voice, we wanted to show that frustration does not have to lead to hopelessness. Instead, it can become a starting point for positive action within local communities. Cathaoirleach (Chairperson) of Roscommon County Council, Liam Callaghan, was among the selected judges of the competition entries. He expressed how he found it very difficult to choose the three winners!
The level of engagement we witnessed in Kilbride was honestly inspiring. We spent hours talking to students who are just starting to think about their career paths and job seekers who want to find work that actually makes a difference. We had the chance to discuss the various tools we’ve developed, from our digital self-assessment platform that helps people navigate their climate-related stress to our virtual learning resources and the Youth Connect Portal. It was clear from these conversations that there is a massive appetite for this kind of support. People weren't just looking for information; they were looking for a way to get involved and lead the charge toward a more sustainable future.
As the event came to a close, we left Kilbride feeling very optimistic. While global data often shows that we are falling behind on our environmental targets, the passion we saw in Roscommon suggests that the next generation is more than ready to step up.
We are so grateful to everyone who stopped by the Planet Pulse stall to share their story, enter the competition, or just grab a leaflet. The day proved that when we address our fears head-on and work together, we can turn climate anxiety into a powerful movement for change.
