From Canada to all corners of the world, youth are collectively calling for climate action. Take for example Artemisa Xakriabá, a 19-year-old indigenous climate activist in Brazil, fighting to protect the Amazon from the unprecedented fires caused by the climate crisis, or Leah Namugerwa, a 15-year-old Ugandan climate activist, campaigning to end the deforestation, droughts and floods caused by the climate crisis. Let us celebrate all young climate leaders and advocates tackling the climate crisis, especially young those who are Black, Indigenous and People of Colour.
Photo of Leah Namugerwa by Leah Namugerwa (Twitter, n.d.)
Here’s a spotlight on two Be the Change initiatives which are helping cultivate the next generation of diverse climate leaders in Canada: Youth for Climate Action (Y4CA) and Youth Climate Ambassadors Workshops.
Y4CA empowers Metro Vancouver youth to address the climate crisis, and their own feelings of ecological despair, through designing and implementing climate action projects in their communities. This school year, we’re working with four youth teams, who are now finalizing their project goals and preparing for implementation!
Through the power of storytelling, Climate Ambassadors Workshops aim to foster a sense of hope and agency among youth, empowering them to call their communities to action through a personal, compelling climate story. These workshops are facilitated by UBC students as part of our partnership with the UBC Climate Hub. So far, we’ve delivered 18 virtual workshops so far this school year!
Without our generous donors and grantors, Be the Change would not be able to empower youth to become climate leaders and advocates. We would like to thank Vancity EnviroFund, City of Vancouver Greenest City and Trottier Family Foundation for supporting Y4CA, and we would like to thank the Hamber Foundation for supporting Youth Climate Ambassadors Workshops. Thank you!
