An award-winning scientist offered young people hope about climate change on Friday.

Meteorologist J Marshall Shepherd, director of atmospheric science at the University of Georgia, said climate change is “not way off in the future; it affects every aspect of our lives, even national security.”

Despite the threat of warming, Dr Shepherd is optimistic about the future and highlighted the rise in alternative energy sources.

He said: “We know we have to reduce carbon emissions to lessen the effects of climate change, but that is not enough.

“We need to move to an alternative energy economy, and I do see that shift happening. Solar energy is becoming mainstream, and the use of wind and wave energy are emerging.”

Dr Shepherd noted the number of countries that signed the Paris Agreement, which aims to reduce the global temperature rise to less than two degrees Celsius by the end of the century.

He added there is now “less pushback that climate change is a risk, and a lot of people are engaged worldwide” in combating it.

Dr Shepherd discussed these trends, as well as the science behind climate change, during the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute’s third annual Youth Climate Summit.

He concluded: “I’m happy to be a part of this conference, because the youth are the ones who have to deal with climate change and are often the ones most open to change.”

Award-winning climate journalist Jessica Knoblauch, Jeffrey Steynor, principal engineer at Belco’s management office, and ocean climate solutionist Bodhi Patil, as well as several young environmentalists and YCS alumni, are also speaking at the conference.

Aimed at students 13 to 22, the event was held virtually for the first day, as well as on November 14 and 15, and at the BUEI on November 16 and 17.

The final day of this year’s summit will take place at Cooper’s Island nature reserve on November 18.

• Tune into the virtual sessions via the BUEI’s YouTube page and visit ycsbda.com for more information about the summit.