COP25 was a complete disaster -- long talks lacking the urgency and resolve so desperately needed.

But the question now is -- will we all make COP26 this November in Glasgow be any better?

As a 19 year old, I've grown up seeing the extent of what needs changing and I've discovered division is our problem as a species. Finger pointing, blaming and shaming all lead to nothing other than inaction, frustration and distraction from the real problems, including policy and law (or lack thereof). For there to be any sort of improvement -- it is quite simple really -- people need to apply pressure and the government needs to act. But if we continue fixating on our neighbor's small farm or a person drinking out of a plastic bottle rather than focusing on the 100 polluters allowed (by governments) to emit 71% of the world's global carbon emissions -- we will never solve anything.

"But as climate activists (specifically, youth activists) we cannot be all words and no action, which is why Ireland is developing a Youth Climate Council -- as a means for young people to really do this."

So what exactly will it take? It will take leadership and I don't just mean politicians. While politicians make moves when enough noise is made around an issue, hence the importance of campaigns like Fridays For Future, we can't wait on them.

WE, the people, have to lead -- from the bottom up.

And we can.

When I was Ireland's Youth Delegate to the United Nations I became familiar with the Kwon Gesh (Solemn Duty), which was signed by An Taoiseach as I held it. What is a KWON-GESH you might ask? It is a pledge between Ireland and the Marshall Islands, which invites other signatories to give the younger generation a greater voice in creating climate policy. But as climate activists (specifically, youth activists) we cannot be all words and no action, which is why Ireland is developing a Youth Climate Council -- as a means for young people to really do this.

"...we are evolving the movement in ways that will help us work together and move forward more positively. I have hope this evolution will be reflected with our leaders attending COP26."

Environmental law is also changing and playing a bigger role in governmental climate action. An Irish case taken by Friends of the Irish Environment led to the Irish Supreme Court declaring that the National Mitigation Bill does not comply with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Act Development 2015. Another example is my own hometown of Skibbereen, where locals led the campaign Save Our Skibbereen to stop a plastics factory from being built in our small rural town. In this case, a group of people who cared enough about their environment decided to do something about it -- this is all we need.

Still, despite the positive effects of these and other major movements, such as paper straws and Meatless Mondays -- it will take even more to solve climate change. We have to rewire the entire system -- how we work, travel, consume and act. Consider the impact of COVID-19. Yes, travel and consumption were certainly reduced, but the production of disposable masks proved our dedication to greener ways is still susceptible to taking the back seat. When we do this -- we are failing to see climate change for the emergency that it is.

"As youth activists, we often look over our shoulders at the destructive past of previous generations, but we need to look forward..."

I truly don't think anyone wakes up and thinks, "today seems like a good day to ruin the environment." But our world and literally everything in it is programmed to be quick, convenient, and too often -- profitable. Spoiler alert: these factors rarely add up to helping our environment in any way.

Recently, I've been working alongside YMCA Ireland with other YMCA groups from all over the world to discuss what our messaging will be at Glasgow in November. One thing that's stood out to me is an increased use of the terms: "climate justice," "youth activism," and "just transition." These terms carry a number of important connotations, suggest an end goal, and most importantly -- they are being used frequently. And this gives me hope. I have hope that although the climate crisis is an emergency and something to fear -- we are evolving the movement in ways that will help us work together and move forward more positively. I have hope this evolution will be reflected with our leaders attending COP26.

In the words of fellow youth activist, Xiye Bastida: “It is time to stop thanking us for being activists. It is time for all of us to rise together.”As youth activists, we often look over our shoulders at the destructive past of previous generations, but we need to look forward and realize there was never an opportunity to have our voices heard and create change like there is right now. Everyone has the power to create change, the question is whether we’re willing to use it?