25 Feb “There’s hope for the future” – Young climate change activists to hold showcase event in Toronto on February 27, 2020
Toronto, ONT (February 25, 2020) – Young climate change activists from across the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA) will gather on February 27 in Toronto to showcase their community-based projects to accelerate efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
This showcase is the culmination of nine months of work by high-school and university students from across the region as part of Youth Challenge International’s (YCI) Innovate MY Future program, which is funded by the Government of Canada’s Canada Service Corps initiative. In collaboration with Evergreen and eight municipalities across the GTHA, YCI has provided training and support to young people in Toronto, Hamilton, Halton, Peel, York and Durham regions to design climate action projects that address local climate issues. YCI’s Climate Action Catalyst teams have created events, programs and campaigns aimed at mobilizing the public to address climate change in their communities and outline steps that everyone can take to protect our environment.
“From promoting active transportation options, helping restaurants reduce food and plastic waste and exposing the environmental impact of fast fashion, the Climate Action Catalysts of the Innovate MY Future program have done some remarkable work in raising public awareness about climate change,” says Bryan Cox, YCI’s Executive Director. “They’ve demonstrated to themselves, their peers and the communities where they live that there is hope for the future.”
“I’m proud of being a Climate Action Catalyst and look forward to incorporating what I’ve learned from the Innovate MY Future program into other aspects of my daily life,” says Miranda Baksh, environmental educator and co-founder of Climate ChangeHERS. “Our work together has shown that local action can make a difference in shaping policies that protect and nurture our environment.”
“Programs like Youth Challenge International’s Innovate MY Future encourage young Canadians to get involved and give back to their communities while developing and practicing important leadership skills and gaining memorable life experience. I am pleased to see young people in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area rally around an important cause like climate change to address local issues and build a better Canada.”
– The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
Members of the media are invited to attend the showcase event and interview the program participants and see overviews of their project work. Details of the event are as follows:
WHAT: Innovate MY Future – Climate Action Catalyst Summit
WHERE: Evergreen Brick Works – BMO Atrium, 550 Bayview Avenue. Toronto, ON
DATE/TIME: Thursday, February 27, 3:45 pm to 7:00 pm (Interview opportunities with participants available from 4:00 pm to 6:00pm)
Space is limited at the event and we would encourage members of the media to register by visiting https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/climate-action-catalyst-summit-registration-91035528717
About YCI’s Innovate MY Future
YCI’s Innovate My Future project enables youth across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) to take action and address local climate issues in their communities. Learn more about how YCI’s Climate Action Catalysts are tackling climate change in their communities and make your climate action commitment today at www.youthclimateaction.ca.
All of YCI’s programs are designed with sustainability in mind. Read more about our global solutions.
YCI’s Innovate MY Future is funded by the Government of Canada under the Canada Service Corps Program.
