Eco Lunch & Learn To Feature Noelle Young

BEST and Bermuda College’s Eco Lunch & Learn on September 26 will feature Noelle Young, who “will challenge the traditional notion of resilience.”

A spokesperson said, “BEST [Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce] and Bermuda College are excited to invite the community to attend their first Eco Lunch & Learn presentation of the season. On Thursday, September 26th, Noelle Young will challenge the traditional notion of resilience, particularly as it applies to vulnerable communities like her home Bermuda, a small island developing state. She argues that the emphasis on resilience often shifts the burden of enduring systemic injustices onto the very people least equipped to bear it, while absolving those in power from enacting necessary change.

“This lecture is free and no registration is required. The presentation is followed by a lively Q&A, so bring your questions, and find out more about how to mitigate and improve the traditional notion of resilience in Bermuda, foster long-lasting, impactful change and the actions individuals can take.

“Noelle critiques the glorification of resilience, especially among youth facing environmental and social adversities, and calls for a shift in focus from mere survival to proactive transformation. She highlights how resilience, when overemphasized, can mask the need for structural changes in areas like education, health, and environmental justice.

“Noelle has a rich background in marine conservation, aquaculture and climate justice. She works with Greenpeace and consults for the Caribbean Sustainable Aquaculture. Noelle has collaborated with organizations like the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme and holds youth delegate positions with Island Innovation’s Climate Justice Leaders Academy, Climate Rights and Justice International, the World Food Forum of the Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations, and the Ubuntu United Nations Academy, showcasing her commitment to environmental sustainability and youth empowerment.

“With an educational background specializing in aquaculture and fisheries, Noelle has worked on projects from marine research in South Africa to natural enhancement aquaculture in Canada. Her diverse experiences and global perspective make her a passionate advocate for environmental renewability and climate justice.”

Amy Harvey, the Earth and Environmental Science lecturer at the Bermuda College, said, “Noelle is one of Bermuda’s environmental youth leaders and we are excited to hear about youth empowerment and how we can get them engaged in environmental renewability and part of the solutions for climate change. Many of our young people suffer from climate change anxiety and get overwhelmed by all of the negative messaging out there.

“They feel that what they do does not really have a significant impact so many times choose to do nothing. Our youth are a vulnerable sector of our population as they have not caused this problem but it is their generation that is left to fix it. They need support from stakeholders to help them with innovations and solution-based thinking instead of the current mindset of adapting to environmental issues or even worse a mindset of apathy.

“We need our community to understand that collectively we can all make a valuable difference.”

Jennifer Flood, BEST Executive Officer, said, “We’re delighted that Noelle has found the time in her very busy schedule to present at the ECO L&L’s. The choice of topic – Elevation not Endurance – is timely. Climate change is real, and while effects are being felt worldwide it is generally those countries and communities that have contributed least to the causes of the changes that are suffering the most.

“For example, CO2 emission in tons per capita range from a staggeringly high 24.9 in Kuwait to a mere 0.04 in Congo. African countries consistently produce less than 1 ton per person per year, yet climate change has led to severe droughts, food shortages and famine, in many of the continent’s countries.

“Low-lying countries such as Bangladesh and island nations are struggling to address sea level rise and stronger hurricanes. How can this imbalance be addressed? Who should pay? How should those payments be made? How can people be encouraged to change behaviors that are harmful to others? Noelle has attended CoP28 and numerous other global events and I am sure will have many insights and possible solutions to offer.”

The spokesperson said, “Join us for this informative presentation on Thursday, September 26th from 1:00pm to 2:00pm, either online or in person at The Bermuda College, Athene Room H100. Light refreshments will be provided. First come, first served. Please bring your own beverage.

“Join us online on Facebook or YouTube.”

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Category: All, Environment