New UL initiative blends art and action to inspire future climate leaders

A NEW climate action initiative, led by the Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick, is using art along with play to help primary school children develop the skills needed to become climate leaders.

Led by Dr Mary Curtin, Dr Jean McCarthy and Dr Christina O’Connor from UL’s Kemmy Business School, the Climate Leadership through Nature’s Canvas project was born out of the critical need to develop climate leadership skills among young people.

This initiative challenges all participants to explore, create, and lead. These skills are critical so that they can play an active role in addressing and advocating for solutions to climate change.

The project, which will be piloted in Monaleen National School this coming September, offers primary school children, their teachers and their families the opportunity to develop leadership skills while engaging in creative art and works.

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Through play and art, the project aims to challenge participants to explore, create and lead so that they can become active citizens and leaders of climate justice.

Dr Mary Curtin outlined: “It is clear from scientific evidence that the children and young people of today are the generation most affected by the climate crisis.

“They will shoulder a disproportionate share of the burden of climate change, but they hold unique position within their families, their schools and wider communities to promote pro-environmental behavioural change.

“This youngest generation are therefore not just passive victims of climate impacts; they are potential catalysts for change, so it is critical that we develop climate leadership skills among children and young people as soon as possible.

“Climate leadership with children means actively involving young people in understanding, addressing, and advocating for solutions to climate change,” she continued.

“By combining education, empowerment, and action in age-appropriate ways, we help children become informed, responsible, and proactive members of their communities.”

Dr Jean McCarthy explained: “While primary schools are increasingly supported by national policies to embed education for sustainable development in the curriculum, recent research shows that there is frustration among learners worldwide about the adequacy of topics related to climate issues in school.

“Children possess powerful agency to drive awareness and action so by combining education, empowerment and action in age-appropriate ways, we can help children become informed, responsible and proactive members of their communities.”

Dr Christina O’Connor added: “As the children explore topics such as pollution, deforestation and resource overuse through art, they gain a deeper awareness of the challenges associated with climate change and begin to appreciate the need for sustainable practices.

“By participating in this project, they will also develop important leadership capabilities, such as self-awareness, collaboration, and communication, and learn how to share ideas, listen to others and find ways to compromise and influence in group settings.”