Students revealed their thirst for change at a conference exploring alternative energy sources for Bermuda. 'The Pursuit of Energy: A Catalyst for Conflict' was part of the United Nations International Global Warming Conference, and was hosted by Youth News.com in partnership with XL.

It saw students from across the Island investigating energy renewal, sustainability and alternative sources, and their consequences on the political, environmental and economic arenas of our world.

The two-day event also challenged pupils to come up with a project to 'Reduce the Usage of Fossil Fuel in Bermuda'. More than 140 children took part, with Team A (pictured) winning with a renewable energy scheme using solar panels and wind turbines.

Parent Karen Broughton said: "The winning students worked powerfully together to develop a viable strategy to reducing the usage of fossil fuel. They worked very well together researching alternative resources.

"Their presentation offered alternatives such as solar energy and hydro-power.

"The winning entry's ideas to reduce the usage of fossil fuel has merit. Dr. Mandela told the students: 'Now it is time to put the project into action. Go and do what you can do to implement your plan.'"

Among those attending the workshop were Maki Mandela, daughter of Nelson Mandela, Ann Veneman, CEO of UNICEF, and actress Catherine Zeta Jones. The event was the fifth United Nations International School (UNIS) Youth Conference hosted by Youth News.

Dr. Mandela told The Royal Gazette she found the workshop "very inspiring".

"I think also the idea of these two-year workshops would be useful for us to encourage our youth in community development issues," she said.

"The issue of renewable energy is something Africa needs to copy as we have enough sun and water, but it is making sure everyone is accessible to that energy and water."

The conference also saw the official launch of the Youth News team's 'global rainwater system'. Inspired by Bermuda's unique roof catchment system, their model could ultimately bring life to thousands in communities across Africa.

The National Water Catch Exhibit — sponsored by Max Capital — is to be built at CedarBridge Academy. It will feature a water catchment area and a viewing hall over the tank the water pours into. Construction will be filmed for a 'how to' DVD to be distributed to the UN, and the demonstration model will be powered by renewable energy sources in the form of a wind turbine and PV (Photovoltaic) panels.

The project was born from a youth delegation to the UN International School-United Nations Conference on 'Global warming — confronting the crisis'.

After showing how Bermudians conserve their rainwater and how this could provide drinking water in other countries, the students teamed up with the Global Arts Foundation to take the concept further.

Caitlin Collis, 16, of Hamilton Parish, one of the originators of the project, said: "After the UN conference we got a lot of feedback from countries wanting to know more and thought why don't we take this idea and use it as a prototype which can then be used all over the world.

"We're just getting it off the ground running and now everything is ready to go, and that's really incredible."

Mica Morrey, 17, of Pembroke, said: "It's really going to be great when we go to South Africa and actually put a rain catch in the ground and see people come up and get rainwater to help them. All from our idea which Caitlin started five years ago."

Alexa Lightbourne, 16, of Devonshire, said: "I'm extremely excited about the whole initiative and think this is the way the whole of Bermuda needs to go."

Nicole Dupont, 17, of Warwick, said: "By doing this we're putting in two cents and making a difference in the world, and showing we are not just a small island."