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Check out our updates from a busy and exciting spring!

Reclaiming the Environmental Narrative

The environmental movement has had a long history of excluding or not representing Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC). Mainstream representations of environmentalists have been overly homogeneous and typically white. Unfortunately, this problem of non-BIPOC representation still continues today. At the same time, despite BIPOC and racialized communities often carrying the burden and consequences of environmental racism and injustices, they are champions of and frequently responsible for longstanding and unrewarded environmental protection work. 

A New “Challenge” for Students and Teachers!

Be the Change is excited to share our latest initiative, a challenge to students and teachers to Build the BC Network of School-Based Changemakers. The challenge launched in late March and it aims to help build the widest school-based climate action communication network, and engage the most student and teacher voices in a climate education survey to shape the future of the BC education system. This initiative is, in part, to help the incredible efforts of Climate Education Reform BC (CERBC), a youth-led organization calling for changes to the BC education system that better prepare students and teachers to tackle the climate crisis. 

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.

I hope the start of your new year has been going well! In this newsletter, I’d like to zoom in on one of our most exciting projects -- one that I actually helped co-found back in 2018 while I was an undergrad at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

First off: Be the Change wishes you and everyone in our wonderful community Happy Holidays and a great New Year! May you find ease and peace during these challenging times. 

A Thank You Note to All Our Donors!

Thank you to all our new and ongoing donors for donating to Be the Change’s fundraising campaign. We raised $12,995 and had almost 40 donors contribute! This support will enable is to continue empowering youth to become environmental and social justice changemakers, including our Climate Ambassador Workshops, the spotlight of our #GivingTuesday campaign.