The Tasmanian Youth Climate Leadership Program involves young leaders (age 10-18) coming together at conferences with mentors, to plan and take action on climate change. The events aim to build a network of young people who are passionate about climate science, climate justice, renewable energy, STEM, and sustainability. The plan is to ignite the passion of youth, and equip them with skills to support on- ground actions in their schools and communities.

The first conferences in June aim to connect schools, teachers and students with mentors across the state. Participants will rotate through workshops that focus on building skills to become climate leaders in their communities and educational institutions. They will share their ideas and have the opportunity to ask questions of experts. The goal is for the youth leader teams to plan action on climate change to implement in their schools. Action will be focussed on waste, biodiversity, food security, transport, energy and climate justice.

The conferences will take place from 9:30am - 2:30pm in:

• Hobart 5th June
• Burnie 7th June
• Launceston 8th June

Follow-up second conferences will occur in Hobart on 11th September, Burnie on 13th September, and Launceston on 14th September when teams will report back on their progress.

These conferences have been an annual program since 2017. We anticipate another group of 300 students from 30 schools between the grades of 6 - 12 will attend.

This year, all schools that register will be granted a small amount of money for students to launch projects in their schools and communities. We also have financial support to assist schools that may not be able to attend due to costs of transport, etc.

If your school is interested in attending, email coordinator Toby Thorpe: [email protected].

The plan is to create a network of inspired young people who are excited and supported to pursue further opportunities, studies, careers, and volunteering in all fields relevant to combating climate change.

The Tasmanian Youth Climate Leadership Program is a collaboration within the Education for Sustainability Tasmania network by the University of Tasmania and Sustainable Living Tasmania, and is supported by the Tasmanian Government through Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania.