Ten young people have won recognition as climate ambassadors at the island’s second annual Youth Climate Summit.

The group of alumni from the 2021 summit pitched in for a year of activities following the inaugural call to arms against climate change, held at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

They were hailed as Youth Climate Ambassadors during the summit at the BUEI.

Karla Lacey, chief executive of the BUEI, said that the summit brought young people together for climate conversations that served as “the foundation for a year of youth-led initiatives”.

“It was important to recognise and celebrate the achievements of those who have stepped forward with dedication and determination to make a difference,” she added.

Walter Roban, the home affairs minister, and education minister Diallo Rabain joined attendees.

Climate Justice representatives Moriah Bridgewater from the Berkeley Institute and Fabiola Adams, who is dually enrolled at CedarBridge Academy and Bermuda College, received alumni ambassador awards from climate summit partners Alexandra Smedley, sustainability and exposure monitoring analyst from Conduit Re, and Sally Trott, facilities manager and charity committee member for Axis Speciality Limited.

The Climate Justice team focused on food security and the development of community gardens.

Awards went to sustainability representatives Satya Florence from Somersfield Academy and Laura Hupman and Ava Gibson from Bermuda High School – who were recognised by Janaya Caines, underwriting analyst at Renaissance Re, and Brett Henshilwood, risk advisory partner from Deloitte Bermuda.

The sustainability team has initiated a programme to reduce plastic waste in school lunches.

Conservation representatives Phoenix Palacio from the Bermuda Homeschool Network and Maya Kennedy from the Berkeley Institute were presented with their awards by Youth Climate Summit Founding Partners Louise Twiss-West, head of wholesale banking and sustainability executive sponsor from HSBC, and Andrew McFarlane, head of climate at Axa XL.

Presentations were also made to conservation representatives D'Angela Symonds, a graduate of CedarBridge Academy, and Elsie Hasting, a graduate of Warwick Academy.

Both are furthering their education overseas.

The conservation team undertook three projects: mangrove reforestation, lionfish culling and seagrass restoration.

Special recognition went to conservation member Zahra Trott, from the Berkeley Institute, for having attended the highest number of events, and for her commitment throughout the year.

Zahra received her award from both founding partners.