On September 24th, Dan attended the Outer Hebrides Climate Conference (OH-COP1), an event organised by Climate Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides Climate Hub, held at An Lanntair with around 80 in-person attendees, with many more joining online.
The event centred on urgent climate issues impacting the Western Isles, and Dan was particularly struck by the passion and enthusiasm of young representatives from the Young Islanders Network, the Scottish Youth Parliament, and the Youth Local Action Group, who advocated for immediate climate action and educational initiatives in their communities.
OH-COP1 featured presentations from experts such as The Met Office and Scottish Government, addressing climate threats like flooding and coastal erosion, as well as local projects like Our Climate Story, a digital tool capturing residents climate-related experiences. Discussions also explored decarbonisation efforts, including peatland restoration and regional emissions reductions.
Aside from the well-organised programme, a highlight of the day was the opportunity for meaningful interaction, with time to mingle and engage in discussions throughout the event. Dan would like to extend his sincere thanks to Kirsty, Brian, Christopher, and Sarah from Climate Hebrides for hosting such an important event, which underscored the power of collaborative action and what more needs to be done.