Empowering Youth and Taking Action on Climate Justice
Yesterday, we had the privilege of hearing from Ineza Umuhoza Grace, an eco-feminist and climate advocate from Rwanda, alongside Garry Walsh, Trócaire’s Campaigns and Digital Outreach Manager. Both speakers brought powerful perspectives on climate justice, youth engagement, and the urgency of holding our leaders accountable.
Ineza Umuhoza Grace shared her inspiring journey into climate activism, which began with witnessing firsthand the devastating effects of environmental degradation in her community in Rwanda. As the CEO of The Green Protector, Ineza has been at the forefront of empowering youth to take action, mobilizing thousands of young people across schools and universities to address climate change. She spoke passionately about her work with the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition, a global alliance she helped co-found to demand accountability from world leaders for the impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable countries like Rwanda.
Ineza emphasised the importance of youth in the climate justice movement, stating, “We are the generation that will redefine our future. It’s crucial that young people take even small steps toward climate justice, because collectively, we hold the power to make real change.” She also spoke about how this is the responsibility of everyone including ‘the elders’. They bring experience which we can learn from, she said. ‘They can share what they have learned about what works and does not work in such activist work’. She shared how her organisation, The Green Protector, engages young people in practical actions like tree planting, waste management projects, and virtual dialogues on climate change with global communities. Her role as a Pathfinder for the UNESCO Green Citizens initiative further highlights her commitment to citizen-led climate action worldwide.
Garry from Trócaire focused on how we can take meaningful steps to hold our politicians accountable for their climate commitments. He spoke about Trócaire’s ongoing climate justice campaign and how the organization has been working since 2008 to fight for deeper systemic changes. Garry also provided practical advice, handing out postcards that we can use to engage politicians when they knock on our doors, urging them to take stronger action on climate change.
He reminded us of the unequal burden of the climate crisis: those in poorer countries, who have contributed the least to global emissions, are suffering the most from the impact of climate change. Garry’s message was clear: reducing emissions isn’t just an environmental necessity, it’s a matter of justice for the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Both speakers inspired the audience to think critically about our role in addressing the climate crisis. The audience, consisting of UCC staff and students and some people from the wider Cork community, we left feeling empowered to take action, whether by holding our leaders accountable or making small but impactful changes in our own communities.
Together, they emphasised that the climate crisis can only be addressed through collective action, where young people, local communities, and global movements unite in the fight for justice.
Further information about Trocaire’s climate action campaign here: Climate Justice – Trócaire (trocaire.org)
Images from the day at UCC. Ineza and Garry spoke to nursing students of Global Health Studies and Economics students. Thanks to Dr Brian Turner, Economics and Dr Colette Cunningham, Nursing Studies for arranging for their students to meet Ineza and Garry.
