Our Speakers
Ruth Scott
Conference MC
I'm delighted to host the Codling Wind Park and Wicklow County Council 'Our Climate, Our Future' youth conference and I'm looking forward to being part of the journey supporting the youth of Wicklow to be part of the climate challenge solution.
Ruth is one of Ireland’s most professional, well-known, and respected media personalities. She has a knack for making people instantly comfortable, regardless of the magnitude and topic of the event. A Roscommon native and University of Limerick graduate, she has had a starring role on the 2fm radio schedule for almost 20 years. Ruth currently hosts one of RTE 2fms biggest radio shows, which often features in the lists for the Top 20 most-listened-to radio programmes in the country.
Mary Fleming
Mary Fleming is the Founder and CEO of Change Clothes, a social enterprise clothing reuse hub on Thomas Street, Dublin. Change Clothes works to prevent clothing waste at community level before it becomes a global problem, and creates opportunity and change in the process. Earlier this year Change Clothes won the ‘Emerging Category’ at the RDS Circular Economy Awards.
Mary holds a certificate in Circular Economy from MTU and through her work with Change Clothes, she is a Sustainable Development Goals Ambassador 24/25 with the Department of the Environment, Climate & Communications, and sits on the Departments Textiles Advisory Group.
John Gibbons
Climate Change Journalist & Commentator
Sean Dillon
Ireland's Climate Youth Delegate 2025 - 2027
In addition to his studies in environmental science and engineering at Trinity College Dublin, Seán Dillon, 22, also spent an Erasmus exchange semester studying civil and environmental engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Seán is passionate about sustainable development, climate infrastructure, and equitable access to clean water supplies and sanitation. During his studies, Seán has been part of a research team exploring a nanobubble-assisted domestic wastewater treatment system. He also works as a research assistant on a project investigating how groundwater systems and nature-based solutions can buffer drought and extreme hydrological events.
In October, Seán was selected to be part of Ireland’s national and international climate change efforts through the Climate Youth Delegation Programme, established by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, working in collaboration with the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI). The goal of this programme is to provide the Department with a channel to support the active participation of young people in international climate policy and processes and ensure Ireland’s official delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) benefits from the perspectives and knowledge of youth in its work.
Each Climate Youth Delegate serves a term of 18 months. They are tasked with raising awareness of Ireland’s international climate action efforts through sharing informative and engaging social media posts, including, where possible, interviews with high-level representatives. The Climate Youth Delegate will also reach out to youth communities and networks across Ireland to share knowledge and gather ideas and solutions. These will feed into Ireland’s national and international climate change priorities.
As part of their role, the Climate Youth Delegate is invited to accompany the Taoiseach, Ministers, or Departmental officials at different national and international climate change negotiations each year to represent the voices of Irish youth.
Dr. Jim Carolan
Dr. Jim Carolan, Associate Professor, Maynooth University of Ireland
Dr Jim Carolan is a lecturer and researcher at the Department of Biology, Maynooth University. Much of Jim’s research involves understanding the biology of important pollinator species, the interactions between crops and their pests, biodiversity improvement, and reducing our dependency on chemical pesticides.
Jim has a keen interest in improving sustainability and environmental awareness within the University, and in 2016, he joined the Maynooth Green Campus, becoming its chairperson in 2021. Through the efforts of the Maynooth Green Campus and its several working groups and partners, major changes have occurred in the University, particularly in the areas of improving and managing biodiversity. To date, over 20 acres of the Maynooth grounds are now managed for biodiversity.
Jim is also the coordinator of the MGC Biodiversity Working Group, and in collaboration with Mr Stephen Seaman, Head of Grounds Department at Maynooth University, they have established several biodiversity projects, including habitat mapping, biodiversity recording and the establishment of biodiversity walking and information trails. Jim understands the importance of education and reaching across communities, which are essential when contending with the challenges we face, and he believes that even small actions can be extremely meaningful and effective.
Agenda
may be subject to change
Host Ruth Scott and
Educate Together Secondary School, Wicklow, Youth Climate Committee
Wicklow County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Melanie Corrigan
John Gibbons Interviewed by Ruth Scott
Scott Sutherland Codling Wind Park
Mary Fleming, CEO of Change Clothes
Sean Dillon, National Youth Council Of Ireland
5th year Students ETSS, Wicklow
Climate Action Officer, Wicklow County Council, Mark Costello
Dr Jim Carolan senior lecturer and associate professor at Maynooth University
