“I saw firsthand that our people do not lack ideas; they lack platforms where they can express, explore, and develop them. The meetup provided such a platform, and in doing so, it sparked the beginnings of a community movement that can grow into tangible solutions.” – Emery Cybahire, FIRE Meetup Host in Bureera, Rwanda.
Throughout the month of September, 14 Planeteer leaders across the globe planned and executed Meetup events focused on the FIRE element. Each Meetup explored how their own communities can utilize renewable energy sources and transition away from harmful fossil fuels contributing to climate change.
Planeteer Maximo Luciani recruited two of his high school friends to assist in leading a FIRE Meetup in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. They gathered 12 middle school students to teach them about the fundamentals of renewable energy, its importance, and prompted them to identify a problem in their community and come up with an original solution that addresses that problem.
Furthermore, participants also had the opportunity to virtually tour a solar-power plant facility, followed by an activity where they built their own solar-powered cars!
Planeteer Shem Kimeli in Eldoret, Kenya focused his FIRE Meetup on cycling and its impact as a zero-emission alternative to cars and buses. With several bikes and e-bikes in stow, Shem gathered a group of 10 young people to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of cycling as a primary mode of transportation. They identified the challenges that exist in Eldoret for commuting cyclists, such as infrastructure and high costs.
They brainstormed potential solutions to involve local government and bike dealers in order to shift policies and attitudes toward cycling. Some participants even initiated first steps by creating a research proposal and petition.
In Lekki, Nigeria, Planeteer Daniel Olajuyigbe held a 2-in-1 FIRE Meetup, with both an in-person gathering and remote virtual event all about hydrogen power as a sustainable renewable energy source in Nigeria. Daniel brought in expert speakers on the topic, held a documentary screening, and delved into various concerns and questions from participants.
“Many years ago, some people came together with the idea of making metals not only fly in the sky but carry humans as well. It seemed impossible, but look at how it changed the world. Similarly, imagine the opportunities with hydrogen as a major energy source,” said Daniel Olajuyigbe
This FIRE Meetup not only served to raise awareness for the role that hydrogen will play in Nigeria’s energy future, but connected youth and early-career engineers with experienced industry voices and global researchers.
The 2025 FIRE Meetups demonstrated the demand for clean energy worldwide– and that young people are on the cutting edge of innovation. The transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources is truly exciting for our Planeteers, and Meetups allow them the opportunity to expand on already existing frameworks in order to bring new perspectives on renewable energy solutions.