HEROES OF ENERGY – YOUTH FORUM
YOUTH SPEAK LOUDLY AT THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ENERGY CONFERENCE
1st February 2023 – Port-of-Spain: Secondary School students want child-friendly energy education, clean energy solutions, and greater environmental responsibility for a better quality of life in Trinidad and Tobago. This summarises the views of one hundred and thirty (130) secondary school students attending the Heroes of Energy Youth Forum at the 2023 Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference.
The Forum is a collaboration between the Heroes Foundation (Heroes) and The Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago, designed to expose children to energy sector developments and opportunities and include their voices in national development discussions.
In his welcome to students, Energy Chamber Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Thackwray “Dax” Driver affirmed the Chamber’s commitment to supporting youth development, especially in a transitioning energy environment. He explained, “The Energy Chamber focuses on helping companies get better, to work better and safer, become more environmentally friendly, and create more opportunities to generate employment and revenue for Trinidad and Tobago. Having young people at the Conference allows our future leaders to meet with companies, ask and challenge people on what they’re doing and why they’re doing it, and find things that interest them. My most important lesson from life is to find something that interests you and do that with a passion. This Forum is an opportunity for young people to find a passion in energy.”
Students learnt about Trinidad and Tobago’s energy history, current developments, and future aspirations from energy expert Philip Julien, Chairman of Kenesjay Green Limited. They also engaged with local and international professionals in roundtable discussions and at the conference tradeshow.
Secondary Schools Students presenting their questions and ideas at the Heroes of Energy Youth Forum 
Students and energy industry experts at the Heroes of Energy Youth Forum 
Students and energy industry experts at the Heroes of Energy Youth Forum 
Secondary School Students with Heroes CEO, Lawrence Arjoon, at the Heroes of Energy Youth Forum 
Energy Stallwart, Dr. Krishna Persad, with students at the Heroes of Energy Youth Forum
Chair of the Heroes Generation to Generation Council (G2G), the organisation’s youth advisory team, Zion Benjamin, thanked the Energy Chamber for listening to and supporting children and youth in Trinidad and Tobago. In his address at the Energy Conference Closing Ceremony, the 19-year-old explained, “Today, we asked questions important to us and shared our perspective on what the future of Trinidad and Tobago should look like. Thank you, Energy Chamber, for giving us a seat at this table.
Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean territories are vulnerable to the devasting effects of climate change. We understand the need to make money from our energy resources, but we also require a good quality of life that green energy solutions can support. We unanimously agree that communication and education are key in the energy transition, and child-friendly learning material should be easily accessible for children and youth. We want everyone to understand how their energy use impacts the environment and to take collective action to reduce our energy use and carbon footprint.
It’s interesting to see Trinidad and Tobago as a potential fuel hub for methanol-fuelled ships. We are intrigued by the role technology can play in reducing our energy demand and waste. We hope that CNG and electric vehicles will form a bigger part of our transportation system in the near future and that renewable energy solutions will become more affordable and accessible to everyone soon. Our engagement at the Energy Conference continues to get deeper, and we need support not only to understand but to build a sustainable future for Trinidad and Tobago.”
Attending the Student Recap Session were Minister in the Ministry of Education, Lisa Morris-Julien, and Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Stuart Young, who engaged with students on their feedback. Minister Young stressed the importance of young people sharing their ideas and getting involved in the energy transition. He explained, “Trinidad and Tobago has been leading energy conversations globally, and I am hopeful to see young people driving this country forward.
Natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil; fortunately, that is what we have here in Trinidad and Tobago. We are also moving to renewables, but renewable energy alone will not power everything. We must find the right mix and balance that will continue to benefit our people, and you, young people, can help us find that balance. Schools are paid for by the revenue from natural gas, so we cannot take the position of shutting down fossil fuels. However, technology and resources exist to help us do it cleaner, and we already produce two of the cleanest commodities for energy – methanol and ammonia.
As was said long ago, “the future of our country is in your schoolbags,” and you have to keep the pressure on and challenge us older ones. I look forward to young people helping us use our energy more efficiently, use our gas in cleaner ways, use renewables, and find better ways to reduce our waste and pollutants.”
The Heroes of Energy Youth Forum supports the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals:
- SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts – Indicator 13.3
- SDG 17: Revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development – Indicator 17.17
SCHOOL ATTENDING THE HEROES OF ENERGY YOUTH FORUM:
- Belmont Secondary School
- Bishop Anstey High School East
- Diego Martin North Secondary School
- Five Rivers Secondary School
- Holy Faith Convent, Penal
- Marabella South Secondary School
- Marabella South Secondary School
- Siparia West Secondary School
- Southeast Port-of-Spain Secondary School
- Success Laventille Secondary School
- Success Laventille Secondary School
- Tranquillity Secondary School
- Trinity College East
- Trinity College Moka
- Woodbrook Secondary School
