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NO PLANET B: THE DAY THE DÁIL WAS OURS

No Planet B - Alma Victoria Kruse Image Name: No Planet B - Alma Victoria Kruse
No Planet B - Amy Woodger Image Name: No Planet B - Amy Woodger
No Planet B - Youth Assembly Eric Ehigie Image Name: No Planet B - Youth Assembly Eric Ehigie
No Planet B - RTÉ Youth Assembly on 15th November Image Name: No Planet B - RTÉ Youth Assembly on 15th November
No Planet B - RTÉ Youth Assembly on 15th November Image Name: No Planet B - RTÉ Youth Assembly on 15th November

Riding the overwhelming wave of international concern about global climate change, Irish young people are ready to fight for their future. From street protests to parliamentary speeches, busting apathetic attitudes and striking from school. “No Planet B: The Day the Dáil was ours” is an emotional observational documentary following three dynamic young Irish people who are passionate about climate change – and who are all on their way to Dáil Éireann to do something about it.  Told through observational filming, video diary elements and news archive, the documentary will also go behind the scenes at Dáil Éireann on the day of the Youth Assembly. With the voices of determined young people at the heart of the narrative, this unique and historic documentary will reflect the stories of three very different personal journeys to the Dáil.

On the 15th of November 2019, on the centenary of Ireland’s first ever Dáil sitting, 157 young Irish people aged between 10 and 17 formed the RTÉ Youth Assembly on Climate Change – a precious opportunity for them to effect real change, for their voices to be heard at the highest level in the land, and a chance to take their future, and the future of the planet, into their own hands.

A month before the RTÉ Youth Assembly convened, we began following three of the 157 young delegates to gain a unique personal insight into the world of Irish teenage climate activists in 2019. Marching on the streets in their thousands, missing school, battling apathy: these young people are making the world sit up and listen…  But the pressure of such responsibility is immense: there are sacrifices to be made, obstacles to be overcome, friendships and family relationships tested. 

As the Youth Assembly day draws near, will they make it to the Dáil?  Will they be able to stand on the shoulders of history in the hallowed government chambers and truly make a difference?

Featured in the doc are:

AMY WOODGER – AGE 10, DUBLIN

Amy is 10 years old and from Castleknock. She’s the youngest in the family and, while her mother says the family recycle and are vaguely environmentally aware, Amy’s climate crusade is entirely her own. Amy fundamentally believes she can make a difference and takes it upon herself to lead the way. She wrote letters to Leo Varadkar about reducing the use of pesticides to help saves the bees and has met him to discuss it and badgered her mother to let her cycle to school to cut down on carbon emissions. Amy believes that no matter what age you are you can make a difference- and she will be bringing that sentiment with her when she walks into Dáil Éireann on the day of the Youth Assembly!

ALMA VICTORIA KRAUSE – AGE 15 (turned 16 during filming) – CORK (ORIGINALLY FROM ITALY)

Alma lives in Cork City. She’s from Italy and moved here with her mother three years ago. Alma became interested in climate action after attending some protests and finding herself getting quite emotional. Taking part made her realise that she could make a difference. She loves debating and even though she arrived in Cork not speaking English very well, she is now vice- chairperson of the school debating society. Her big passion is around animal rights and she is a vegetarian. With three generations above her having been in the defence forces, she was delighted to do her transition year work experience with the Irish Navy. Alma is a young force to be reckoned with!

ERIC EHIGIE – 17 – LONGFORD TOWN

Eric is 17 and from Longford Town but studies Corporate Law in NUIG. His family are from Nigeria and he has been inspired to get involved in politics by his dad, who now lives in Germany. Eric thinks the government aren’t doing enough to combat climate change and wants to make a difference by changing policy and educating people. He thinks climate action should be a politically-neutral issue. It affects the whole of humanity, so right and left leanings should be irrelevant. He has taken part in climate strikes and protests and is looking forward to speaking in the Dáil.