20 May 2022

Young environmentalists from Patrician Academy in Mallow have been named top winner’s at the 23rd Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA) on Thursday 19th of May for their project, Bee Brilliant and Boost Biodiversity! St. Catherine’s College have been named winners for the Overall Junior Category and St. Michael’s National School in Sligo have won the Overall Super Junior Category. 

 

Hosted by ECO-UNESCO and RTE presenter, Clara Murray, The Young Environmentalist Awards programme took place virtually and was officially opened by Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Communications, Eamonn Ryan made an address. The YEAs is a nationwide programme that recognises and rewards young people aged 10-18 who have taken environmental action in their school or community,  and created and come up with creative solutions to solve environmental issues. 

 

Over 2,000 young people have been involved in this year’s programme. Bee brilliant and Boost Biodiversity from Patrician Academy in Mallow, Cork have been named the Overall Senior Category Winners for their project which raised awareness about what biodiversity is and why it is important. The group of 11 students carried out research and created a garden on their school grounds to promote biodiversity among the wider school community. 

 

St. Catherine’s College in Armagh have won the Overall Junior Category for their project, Cooling the Callan and St. Michael’s National School in Cloonacool, Tyrone have won the Overall Super Junior Category that looks at where salmon comes from and reflects on the River Moy. 

 

Elaine Nevin, Director of ECO-UNESCO said “Year on year the Young Environmentalist Awards Programme continues to showcase the very best of youth climate action, innovation and sustainability amongst our Schools, YouthReaches and Youth Groups. We are overwhelmed with the quality of the work, every project has undertaken this year and what a privilege to be able to showcase these projects this week, particularly as we celebrate Biodiversity week.” 

 

“In a recent survey by ECO-UNESCO, 60% of young people feel anxious about climate change so the Young Environmentalists Awards Programme is a great opportunity for young people to take the necessary steps to relieve these anxieties, involve their local communities and work towards building a better future.”

 

To celebrate, ECO-UNESCO hosted ECO-Week, from 16th to 20th May, including a range of environmental workshops, well-being activities, talks, and challenges for young people alongside the YEA Final Ceremony. 

 

For more information on the Young Environmentalist Awards and all the awardees, please go to www.yea.ie