Created: November 1, 2024 07:55

Hoping to inspire: Alex Pilgrim is one of the presenters at a youth climate conference at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (Photograph provided)

An engineering student attending a conference this month hopes the event will inspire young people to take action to combat climate change.

Alex Pilgrim, a former Warwick Academy student and currently studying for a Masters in Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of Exeter, will be among the presenters at the annual Youth Climate Summit.

The conference will be held at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

Mr Pilgrim said: “When the opportunity arose to speak, I saw it as a way to put everything I have learned so far during my academic career into something more meaningful .

“I have always been passionate about Bermuda’s marine ecosystems. It is therefore obviously very worrying to note the effects of climate change on our waters.

“The conference is a way to showcase what I have documented regarding our oceans and hopefully spread knowledge and understanding of how climate change can disproportionately affect small islands like ours.” »

Alex, who represented Bermuda at the Caribbean Cycling Championships and Carifta Games, added: “Through this climate summit, I hope to inspire our young people to put themselves in a position where they can actually do something about solve the problem, much like I’m trying to do. do for me.

“The most effective way to truly combat climate change is through technological innovation, whether through renewable energy systems, geoengineering or carbon capture.

“Being a small nation, Bermuda has an insignificant carbon footprint: we make no difference to global CO2 emissions.

“What will make the difference are the sectors in which our young people decide to enter. »

Alex, who is also a photographeradded: “Young people are the future of this planet and are essential to its preservation.

“Conferences like this encourage young people to engage in climate action, providing a platform for their voices, ideas and solutions.

“In doing so, we can share and refine our ideas and ensure that emerging technologies can evolve into practical, scalable solutions, bridging the gap between current efforts and future needs in climate change mitigation.”

“I hope to empower young people, encouraging them to recognize their potential to influence policy and create sustainable solutions.

“I want to highlight how small island states like Bermuda are at greater risk and highlight the importance of marine conservation.

“Above all, I want to inspire our youth to think beyond conventional methods and ideologies surrounding climate change and explore new fields like engineering, biotechnology and environmental science to develop climate solutions. climate change mitigation.”

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