Young Peoples' session:

What type of climate activist are you?


Friday 13

10am to 2pm
Closed session


This panel will focus on understanding how we can all be activists to promote a Net Zero City. Through the use of creative methodologies and direct testimonies, the invited secondary school participants will explore how to use their strengths to become agents of change in our communities and make climate action a reality.

 In addition to this, the young people will explore the concept of Net Zero Cities and with the help of facilitators, they will convey their learning in creative ways (poems, songs, sketches, presentations).

The workshop will be facilitated by Sustainable Life School and it is organised by SAUTI-Youth (Youth Work Ireland Galway) and Galway City Council.

Panellists

Diane O'Connor

The Sustainable Life School Facilitator, Comedian and Environmentalist

Diane O'Connor, co-founder of The Sustainable Life School, is a facilitator, comedian and environmentalist. The Sustainable Life School is a social enterprise which helps individuals, communities and businesses take action on climate through living more sustainably through the delivery of their Sustainable Living Program, workshops and community events. The program is co-designed and is co-facilitated by co-founder Nathalie Pavone.


Prior to her current position, Diane worked as a Drama Facilitator delivering workshops to schools, community groups and youth theatres. She facilitated her Zero Waste Drama series through the Creative Schools program.

Diane’s passion is bringing her love and advocacy for the environment together with her creative side to collaborate in projects that inspire and educate individuals while enriching communities and promoting climate advocacy .

Averil Rafferty

The Sustainable Life School Facilitator, Community Organiser and Sustainability Advocate

Averil has over 16 years of experience in teaching, mentoring, project work, and group facilitation with individuals ranging from 1 to 90 years old. 

With a background in education and innovation for sustainability and a qualification in horticulture, she is passionate about engaging communities to activate real, lasting, and meaningful actions for a healthier, more connected, and nature-filled world.

 Averil has worked extensively with teenagers for over 4 years, specifically focusing on climate and biodiversity action.

 
Beth Doherty

Climate Activist

Beth Doherty is a 21 year old climate activist from Dublin. She first became involved with the climate movement as a school strikes organiser in February 2019. Since then, she has worked nationally and internationally on climate justice. She was involved in the case which overturned Ireland's climate policy, leading her to study law. 

This June, she graduated with a degree in Law from the University of Cambridge. During her time at university, she coordinated and delivered a report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on the links between the climate crisis and children's rights. 

She has also worked with Global Choices to draft international agreements to protect the Arctic and attended COP28 in Dubai last December, where she advocated for an equitable end to fossil fuels. She is currently serving as Ireland's Climate Youth Delegate. 

She is driven by a desire to reimagine how our current society works, and to redesign our systems to achieve justice and sustainability.

 

Alánna O’Brien

Sustainability Ambassador, 
University of Galway.

Sibéal Regan

Marine Biologist and Science Communicator

Sibéal is a part of the Aquariums education and outreach team and works closely with the Marine Institutes Explorers Education Programme.


She is a marine biologist and science communicator with expertise in cetacean, seabird, and basking shark research and surveying.

Sibéal is a co-author of Revitalising Our Seas, a report by the Fair Seas Campaign identifying areas of interest for Marine Protected Area designation in Irish Waters.

 

Alánna is a final year Geoscience student, and Sustainability Ambassador at the University of Galway. Growing up in West Cork she has always loved everything outdoors and this inspired her to pursue a role in protecting the environment. Starting on her Green School council in 2012, since then she has worked Nationally on the Irish Young People’s Committee and Internationally with EU projects . This summer it led her to Washington DC to intern with a Congressman, in the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition as part of the WIP program.

Alánna has been a member of SAUTI-Youth since 2022, facilitating at Youth Climate Assemblies, consulting on the Galway Climate Action Plan and travelling to Tanzania to learn about the Climate Crisis from the Global South perspective.

She is passionate about creative scientific solutions and has a strong belief that positive change can happen from a united effort.