Igniting a Passion for Action on Climate

Young people are facing a future ravaged by climate catastrophe, so it’s no surprise they’re more engaged with the climate crisis than any other demographic. They want solutions and to be able to make a real difference, and it’s our responsibility to help them develop the skills they need to take action for change. A career in the food industry can represent that change. It can represent massive change.  

Food and the climate are so inextricably linked, there are few other sectors with such huge opportunities to drive positive impact. The food we eat, the way it’s produced and how we access it directly affect the environment, and we’re now on the precipice of a monumental transition to a system that works for people and planet. The potential for innovation and transformation within our sector is dizzying.  

But the climate skills gap and talent shortages threaten to undermine this transition, which is why we need to do more to get kids engaged in the possibilities with the food industry. We need to show them that there’s more to the food industry than food itself, and that it represents the opportunity to face head-on one of the greatest challenges of our time and pioneer a new way of doing things that will ultimately change the world. Every job in the food business is a climate job now – you don’t need to be a sustainability specialist to make a difference. Everyone needs to play a role in shaping our industry to be fit for the future; it’s an energising time to step into food.  

This is why Veris, along with Ella’s Kitchen, Greencore and Cranswick Country Foods, will be taking part in a food and climate careers masterclass with Working Options on 12th October. Working Options is a brilliant and vital employability and life skills charity that has been helping young people to aim high and fulfil their potential since 2010. The session will be attended by hundreds of school students across the country, where they’ll learn about everything from apprenticeships and graduate roles, to training, career progression and sustainable impact.  

I can’t wait to hear the thoughts and opinions of all the young people taking part – their insight will be so important as we plan for the future, and before we know it we’ll be handing the reins over to them in the climate fight. So let’s get them excited about what they can achieve. The planet may already be burning, but we can make a difference by lighting a fire under the next generation of changemakers.