Something wonderful is happening in Bath, Maine this winter, and it's giving communities a powerful reason to feel hopeful about our environmental future.

The Patten Free Library is hosting its annual Bath Climate Conversations series, and this year's January event shines a spotlight on the most inspiring force in climate action: young people. On Wednesday, January 14th at 5:30 p.m., community members can gather both in-person and via Zoom to hear from youth leaders who are successfully mobilizing their communities around environmental solutions.

Leia Lowery, cofounder and director of Maine-based organization The Climate Initiative, will join Jackson Chadwick, advocacy director of Maine Youth for Climate Justice (MYCJ), for what promises to be an energizing conversation. Together, they'll share success stories of how young people are initiating meaningful climate projects and sparking important intergenerational dialogue.

"Young people have a long-term stake in the outcomes of what happens," Lowery explained, highlighting why it's so important to include youth voices in these crucial conversations. Rather than focusing on problems, the event will celebrate solutions and the remarkable ways students are already making a difference in their communities.

The impact young people are having is truly impressive. Since its founding in 2019, MYCJ has grown into a vibrant coalition of over 400 young people from across Maine, welcoming anyone under 30 who wants to be part of positive change. Their innovative approaches include launching a podcast to educate communities about renewable energy and dispel myths about wind turbines—turning misinformation into opportunity for learning.

What makes this series particularly special is how it addresses multiple community needs at once. By bringing people together for these conversations, the library is helping rebuild community connections while empowering young people to lead discussions about their own futures. It's a beautiful example of how addressing climate challenges can actually strengthen the social fabric of our communities.

This youth-focused talk is just the second in an exciting four-part series running through March. Future conversations will feature award-winning science journalist Peter Brannen in February and a collaborative presentation by students from five universities in March, ensuring that fresh perspectives and innovative ideas keep flowing throughout the winter months.

The event's accessibility—offered both in-person at the library's Community Room and via Zoom—means that anyone interested in learning from these inspiring young leaders can participate, regardless of their circumstances.

This is community building at its finest: multiple generations coming together, listening to one another, and working collaboratively toward solutions that benefit everyone. The Patten Free Library is creating a space where concern transforms into action, where isolation gives way to connection, and where young people's voices are not just heard but celebrated as essential to our collective future.

For those looking for reasons to feel optimistic about climate action, this conversation series offers something invaluable: real examples of young people successfully leading change in their communities, and proof that when we empower the next generation, remarkable things happen.