Bringing young people together to engage in climate conversations has been a top priority since I took the helm at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute in January 2021. With the global rise of youth activism in the environmental space, Bermuda’s aspirations of becoming an international centre for climate discussions, and BUEI’s role as the national operator for the Eco-Schools programme, it was a natural fit. Over the past two decades, we have built strong relationships with the public and private schools, earning the trust of educators and parents through the delivery of impactful educational programmes.

Climate change touches every ecological aspect of our island, offering a unique opportunity for Bermuda’s eco-organisations to initiate conversations with young people who may be otherwise unaware of their existence. The Youth Climate Summit emerged as the inevitable step in our commitment to nurturing Bermuda’s next generation of environmental advocates, educators and leaders. To ensure meaningful outcomes for the youth, we recognised the importance of understanding their rules for engagement on this often overwhelming and scary topic.

We sought and respected their input by connecting them with passionate individuals from our local and international communities. Through these connections, they had the opportunity to share ideas, best practices and receive support to create meaningful, lasting change. This initiative provided them with facts and equipped them with the tools to directly impact the world for the better.

Under the guidance of Rosie McMahon, PhD and with the support of BUEI’s education and marketing teams, as well as our environmental partner organisations, alumni from the 2021 and 2022 editions of the Youth Climate Summit are now actively involved in their own climate action initiatives. When I recently asked a male student from CedarBridge Academy about his thoughts on the programme, he replied, “I love this programme. I’ve learnt so much and have had the opportunity to get involved in ways I didn’t think were possible. I feel like I can really make a difference.”

While the true impact of the Youth Climate Summit is best measured through the words and actions of our youth participants — see impact reports on www.YCSBda.com — it has been gratifying to receive recognition for our work from the wider community. This month, the Youth Climate Summit was awarded the Michael Darling Heritage Education Award from The Bermuda National Trust, its pinnacle award for Environmental Education. Additionally, the YCS received a “Best of Bermuda” 2023 award in the category of Best Booster for the Environment from The Bermudian magazine, an accolade we are honoured to share with the Bermuda Zoological Society’s Micro Forest Project. These awards are a testament to the power of collaboration among our dedicated peer organisations, the collective work of the small but mighty BUEI team, and the support of passionate volunteers and participant mentors.

The successful execution of an initiative of this magnitude relies on the generous support of partner organisations who share our vision for Bermuda — a vision where the island’s youth and young adults have a strong connection to the environment and envision themselves as future business owners, community leaders and environmental advocates. Equally important to the monetary support provided by our corporate partners is their continued commitment to show up for our young people whenever and wherever needed. Summit partners actively demonstrate their dedication by providing participants with thoughtful listening, encouragement, constructive feedback and direct access to knowledgeable resources.

With the third annual Youth Climate Summit scheduled for November, we will once again strive to meet the Ministry of Education’s expectations of offering a myriad of benefits for students. These include acquiring new knowledge and skills, providing access to local and international experts, creating opportunities to engage in national projects, and addressing local and global challenges — all while enabling them to develop new partnerships and friendships.

Through the Youth Climate Summit, BUEI is actively empowering Bermuda’s youth to become advocates, educators and leaders in environmental conservation. Our commitment to fostering a strong connection between young people and the environment is shared by our partner organisations, corporate sponsors and countless community organisations. Together, we are working towards a future where Bermuda’s youth not only have a voice but also the confidence and tools to make a real difference in our world.

For more information on BUEI’s Youth Climate Summit, visit www.YCSBda.com.

• Karla Lacey is chief executive of the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. Founded by a Private Act of Parliament, BUEI celebrated 25 years of operations in 2021. A registered non-profit (#326), the organisation does not receive any government funding but relies on the continued financial support of the community to deliver impactful, high-quality programmes, including the Eco-Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment programmes, and the Youth Climate Summit