The Children Think Of Us

Going underground…

atest press release from Wicklow County Council, issued on Monday, or maybe Tuesday…

A report with 58 calls to action has been presented by the Children and Young People’s Assembly on Biodiversity to Wicklow County Council.

Receiving a presentation on Biodiversity Loss from the Assembly, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, commented: “Wicklow County Council will continue their ongoing support and engagement with the Children and Young People’s Assembly on Biodiversity Loss.

“Their report which contains 58 Calls to Action has been heard and taken into account within our draft Climate Action Plan which has gone on public consultation for six weeks up until the 15th November. The actions will be given further consideration within the Review of the Biodiversity Action Plan.”

In October 2022 Ireland held its first Children and Young People’s Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. The project was led by Dublin City University, involved University College Cork and brought a random 35 volunteers aged from 7-17 across Ireland to explore, discuss and create calls to action on how to protect and restore biodiversity in Ireland.

The Assembly created six key messages as follows:

⦿ We must treat the earth like a member of the family or a friend.
⦿ Future generations must live in a world where there isn’t a biodiversity crisis and where children don’t have to take action because of the inaction of past generations.
⦿ Every decision must take biodiversity into account.

Mark Costello, Emer O’Gorman, Deirdre Burns, Jackie Carroll and Cllr Lourda Scott with students Siofra Scanlon and Olwyn Costello

⦿ Children and young people must be included in decisions being made about biodiversity.
⦿ Biodiversity protection must be a shared responsibility and a global, collaborative effort.
⦿ We must consume resources in a sustainable, moderate way that neither diminishes the environment / biodiversity or our rights, wellbeing and livelihoods.

The report contains 58 actions based around seven themes as follows:

⦿ Education & Raising Awareness
⦿ Governance
⦿ Energy & Transport
⦿ Waste & Consumption
⦿ Restoring & Rewilding
⦿ Habitat & Species Protection
⦿ Over Exploitation

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Climate & Biodiversity Action Strategic Policy Committee, Cllr Lourda Scott, welcomed the report and said: “Wicklow has been leading the way as both the first local authority in Ireland to declare a climate and biodiversity emergency and also to have a dedicated Strategic Policy Committee. I welcome the continued engagement of the Council with the Children and Young People’s Assembly which allows young people to have a voice in both decision and policy making for biodiversity.”

The report is available to view on the CYPA website here.