Ever since Ecolution first hit the airwaves, we have been screaming about sustainability. Now, we are to tell you about something else building on the same ideas for an eco-friendly world - the bioeconomy.
According to the EU definition, the bioeconomy means using renewable biological resources from land and sea, like crops, forests, fish, animals and micro-organisms to produce food, materials and energy.
On this episode of Ecolution, RTÉ's climate action podcast for young people, we meet a group leading the way on climate action and the bioeconomy - Generation Glas.
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Generation Glas is coordinated by BiOrbic, Ireland's National Bioeconomy Research Centre. At the heart of it all is the belief that youngsters like Stella, who helped record the show, are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the changemakers of today. Through hands-on workshops, field visits, and mentoring, participants build knowledge, confidence and agency. They also gain experience in public speaking, project design and systems thinking, helping them turn climate concern into climate action.
Now in its third year, Generation Glas has trained 65 youth ambassadors who have created more than 10 youth-led events. BiOrbic’s wider education and public engagement work champions inclusive, youth-centred approaches to the bioeconomy. By working directly with young people, educators and community groups, the centre helps ensure that Ireland’s transition to a more sustainable future is informed by diverse voices and grounded in education.
In this episode Arya, a winner of the water category at this year’s Young Environmentalist Awards, reached out to the Biorbic centre director, Kevin O’Connor, for guidance on a youth science project. He activated a global network to source her samples and resources from across Europe.
We also hear from Conor Haugh, who manages Generation Glas to hear more about how the programme is devised. And Stella and Megan, part of the 2025 group, document just some of the exciting activities, questioning the participants and investigating just how hard it is for those in the Global South who have to walk for water.
The Bioeconomy
The bioeconomy offers society a path to apply knowledge, science, technology, and innovation as sustainable solutions to how we use and consume our biological resources, which respects nature and increases social equality by reducing our use of fossil resources and developing green practices, products, and local jobs in places where we wish to live.
Even though it's a subject that will hugely inform our future, it is not something that many people are fully aware of. That's why it's amazing to see young people working to inform themselves and others about the movement and it's why Ecolution is happy to spread the word. And, you can read on to find out more from the people behind it.
BiOrbic, Ireland's National Bioeconomy Research Centre, coordinates the Generation Glas youth ambassador programme empowering young people across Ireland. It is is run in partnership with Foróige and funded by Research Ireland. The programme brings together diverse young people to explore real-world climate solutions, learn from scientists and innovators, and develop projects in their own communities.
Visit the official Generation Glas to find out more!
Ecolution is produced by Nicky Coghlan, with production assistance from Aoife O'Neill. It's hosted by Evie Kenny.
Now, why not head over to the RTÉ Kids YouTube channel to hear from our panel of young climate activists.
And for more great audio content for young people visit rte.ie/jrpodcasts.
