On Thursday 20th of October, students Ian Cullinane(TY), Sean Finnegan(TY), Róise O' Donovan (TY) and Lilian Gleave (5th year) participated in an online Intergenerational Climate Justice Conference along with Sustainability Chaplain, Klaus Harvey. In the conference these passionate students premiered a video they created on Consumerism. Lilian and Sean carried out research and wrote a script, Róise recorded it in the podcast studio and Ian put it together in video format. Lilian and Sean also shared inspiring opening and closing messages showing us bringing an end to overconsumption "is a fight we cannot win alone."

 This conference explored systems that exacerbates the climate crisis and considered changes we could make for a more sustainable future. The day was designed to help people face the reality of climate chaos, and to look constructively at how the system can change.  Speakers from Ireland and the Global South drew attention to the impact on the earth and communities today. ECO-UNESCO facilitated an interactive workshop encouraging us to explore possibilities for a sustainable, thriving community.

 This year they explored how a model of sufficiency offered a radical yet realistic alternative to the present model of untrammelled growth. The conference provided an opportunity for young people and adults to find inspiration to become agents of change and provide steps towards personal and community action.  Kinsale Community School are proud to have so many young advocates and look forward to finding out what great changes they will make in future.

By Lilian Gleave