The growing threats of Climate Change and biodiversity loss depress me but during March, I’ve been lifted by the energy and fight shown by young campaigners in Ireland and across the world, who came out in their thousands on Friday, March 15th to demand Climate Action.
The simplicity of their message has brought this critical issue to a new level but continued campaigning is required to deliver the change necessary to reverse the threats. I believe Greta Thunberg’s movement will achieve this.
As part of my role as a Fingal LEO mentor, I am a judge for both the secondary school “Student Enterprise competition and the “Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur” (IBYE) competition. I was thrilled on March 21st when Bee Kind Seeds won the overall first prize in the Fingal Student Enterprise competition that was held in the Crowne Plaza, Blanchardstown.
The founder, Cormac Tierney told me that he had watched a bee at work last summer and it occurred to him that he must do something to halt the decline of bee species in Ireland and around the world. Cormac then used the competition to put together a collection of seeds, that were rich in nectar and attractive to bees. He has begun selling the seeds in large quantities, which is now producing a profit and a portion of this profit is being assigned to species conservation measures.
Second prize was won by “Bottlers and Successful Thinking ” an enterprise that developed effective bespoke printing of reusable water bottles to ensure that they didn’t get mixed up in groups and as a consequence reduces demand for plastic single-use bottles.
This month my work has brought me into contact with many young people who are taking direct measures to help the planet and develop a sustainable future.
