Olivia CopelandBBC News NI
BBCWhile COP30 takes place in Brazil, more than 80 pupils have been holding their own climate talks closer to home.
The COP30 climate simulation negotiation brought pupils from 28 schools to Belfast Castle, where they represented countries, campaigners, lobbyists and journalists.
This year’s event was the first to bring together young people from both sides of the border, with four pupils from Dundalk Grammar School taking part.
The pupils negotiated with each other to make international deals, and made speeches – one of which was even interrupted by a mock climate protest.
Blaithin, 17, and Niamh, 16, from St Catherine’s College Armagh, were leading the event, which was organised by the British Council, as UN secretary generals.
They were tasked with bringing all the participants to an agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting developing nations and adapting to the effects of climate change.
Blaithin said despite COP30 taking place thousands of miles away, it was important to her generation.
“As a young person, knowing that we will face the impact of what’s going to happen in the future, it’s very relevant that we understand what is going on,” she said.
“We have to live the life that’s going to be controlled by what happens today.”
Niamh thinks more could be done to educate young people about climate change.
“Social media is a big part of young people’s lives, so I feel if we took more to social media for climate action, it would really influence young people today,” she said.
Jude, 17, from Shimna Integrated College in Newcastle, said discussing climate change with young people from across Northern Ireland was a “great experience”, but it’s business people who should be talking about it more.
“It’s them who are doing the most damage, and they need to realise that if they keep killing the planet, they won’t have any more customers.”
He worries that due to the gradual effects of climate change, “the average person will only realise we need to change when the floods come to their doors and the droughts dry out their water supplies”.
Lily-May, 18, also from Shimna Integrated College, said while it was “enlightening” meeting other young people passionate about the climate, most of her peers are “not really engaged”.
“I think people just don’t want to take the extra step or go their extra mile to be more environmentally friendly, even just by using a different bin.”
Colm McGivern, British Council Northern Ireland Director, said: “It’s wonderful to give young people the opportunity to think about one of the major international challenges facing the globe.
“It’s really interesting to see how they’ve gripped the arguments and are getting into the detail, which is crucial if we’re to be able to persuade people about the importance of working against climate change.”
Environment Minister Andrew Muir, who made a speech at the event, said he was “inspired and uplifted” to hear young people engaging with climate action.
“To be honest, today stands in stark contrast to some of the politics in recent weeks in Northern Ireland.
“There’s collective will, there’s hope, there’s positivity, and that’s why I’m committed to working with young people on this issue.”
Kayla , from Coleraine Grammar, who was representing the USA, said she thinks the minister’s attendance at the event “shows his commitment to it”.
“Obviously climate change is a big deal for any young person, but I don’t think we do too much about it,” she said.
“Coming here to the event, you realise how the daily things have an impact, how much countries aren’t doing about it, and how much they could be doing.
“In Northern Ireland, not everyone agrees on everything, but the parties need to work together and with Westminster to designate who’s doing what in different parts of the UK.”
