Two Lacombe students' efforts on the environment are quickly finding themselves among leaders in climate action on the world stage.
Libby Ladouceur and Broc Johnson of École Secondaire Lacombe Composite High School (ÉSLCHS) recently returned from the United Nations COP30 Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil, Nov. 10-21. There, they represented their school and Canadian youth through the Centre for Global Education's #Decarbonize program. They were selected as two of only 32 youth under the age of 18 from 12 countries worldwide, recognized for their leadership in student-led sustainability initiatives at ÉSLCHS, including their ongoing agrivoltaics project that blends solar power generation with food production.
"We're going to take some of our berry bushes and raised beds, and we are going to put a solar panel on stilts above them," said Broc. "What the solar panel should do is that not only will it absorb sunlight and turn it into energy, but also it's going to provide shade to those plants, which is especially useful during the summer months when it gets really hot."
Held in the Amazon region, COP30 opened with a clear call to action.
"I hope that the serenity of the forest may inspire all of us to see what must be done," Brazilian President Lula da Silva said at the opening of the conference. COP30 has been described as the "COP of Truth," the "Indigenous COP," and the "COP of Implementation," reflecting its emphasis on accountability, action and Indigenous leadership in climate solutions.
Throughout the conference, Libby and Broc took part in sessions and discussions across the Green Zone, Blue Negotiation Zone, AgriZone and Peoples COP, sharing both their local EcoVision work and the Code Red for Climate Education Manifesto with global leaders, climate advocates, CEOs and Indigenous representatives. The manifesto, co-created by more than 10,000 youth from over 80 countries, calls for climate education to be recognized as a universal right, expanded mental health supports, hands-on outdoor learning and meaningful youth participation in climate decision-making.
"There were so many neat projects that the students on our trip were doing," Ladouceur said. "There was a school from Argentina that is making a biodegradable plastic, which they are implementing in their school. There's another student who's creating a net-zero air filtration system for their school. It is encouraging to know that we are part of a group that is making significant changes to help improve the environment."
Their time at COP30 also provided the opportunity to engage directly with figures shaping international climate responses, including World Resources Institute CEO Ani Dasgupta and Earthshot Prize winners focused on ecosystem restoration and sustainable agriculture. Those conversations highlighted how classroom-based, student-led projects can contribute to the implementation of real-world policies on a global scale.
Back home, that same approach drives EcoVision at ÉSLCHS, where projects are designed to improve the environment, deepen student learning and strengthen community collaboration. From beekeeping and greenhouse production to agrivoltaics research shared beyond the school, the program emphasizes learning by doing.
EcoVision teacher Steven Schultz said the experience underscores the power of youth-driven action.
"What brings me hope is the growing collective of young talent that is committed to implementing effective climate solutions such as the current agrivoltaics project at our school, thus ensuring our future," Schultz said.
Now back in Lacombe, Libby and Broc are focused on sharing what they learned and expanding their leadership locally, bringing lessons from the world stage back to the classroom, the community and the next generation of EcoVision students.
