Youth Action Forum for Sustainability

Our school is organizing a youth forum for December 2nd, 2010. On this day, we will fully engage our 130 grade nine students in the theme of “Sustainability”. For part of the forum, students will learn about current environmental issues that we face in our world today. We will invite community speakers to talk with students about climate change, endangered species, pollution prevention, wetland habitat restoration and the endangered tall grass prairie. This part of our project will focus on awareness of global and local environmental issues that require action.
We will also ensure our project has a strong component of hope and an expectation of individual action. Accordingly, we will include speakers who will teach students about careers in green jobs and environmental activism. We will also require all students to participate in an action segment where they contribute to an activity that betters their community and environment.

Update (December 2, 2010)

Preparation for our Forum has gone very well. Students will start the day with a keynote presentation from Curt Hull from The Climate Project and Climate Change Connection. After the keynote, students are working through a number of great sessions around Sustainability. Students will participate in:
• a School Waste Audit with the Manitoba Environmental Youth Network.
• a transportation “no idle zone” walk-a-bout with the Green Action Center
• a local habitat activity with the Nature Conservancy Manitoba
• a Food Miles audit with Food Matters Manitoba
• a consumerism presentation and "Hug-A-Tree" holiday ornament making session
• a water stewardship activity with Youth Encouraging Sustainability Manitoba

Students have also started to prepare the organic and local lunch that will be shared with all participants. Canada Green donated all of the biodegradable foodware for our event, so students are going to be able to partake in a “green lunch” as part of their learning. We are very excited to share the day with our students and to see the outcome of the valuable connections we were able to establish with members of our community.

Update (April 13, 2011)

Update for Youth Action Forum
Our 2010 Youth Action Forum for Sustainability was very well received by both staff and students. The day kicked off with our keynote presentation on “Climate Change”. Students listened to information about the current factors contributing to climate change and the impact it is having on our environment. Students also were engaged in ideas for change and everyday solutions they can implement to make a difference within our lives.
After the keynote address, students participated in a number of action workshops:
1. School Waste Audit
All participants contributed to a school waste audit. Garbage bags were collected from all areas of the school. Students emptied the bags in the Senior High gym and sorted items into recyclables, compostables and items destined for a landfill. This was a great way for youth to investigate their ecological footprint and identify solutions for waste. Students weighed all of the garbage items and submitted recommendations for reducing landfill waste.
2. Water Stewardship
Youth Encouraging Sustainability engaged students in a presentation addressing local water issues. Students learned about fresh water sources in Manitoba and examined how water is provided to their homes. They also investigated the wide range of issues effecting fresh water and the health of many different types of water ecosystems in Manitoba.
3. Food Miles
Food Matters Manitoba helped students conduct an audit on the transportation, processing and packaging of foods. Students had the opportunity to investigate the distances that various food products travel and the impact that “global food miles” has on the environment. Students compared heavily packaged, globally transported, processed food items with local fresh food items with little packaging. For lunch, students put their knowledge to work by preparing a meal made from local and organic sources. Canada Green donated compostable food-ware to support our students learning and our event.
4. Consumerism Workshop
The Manitoba Eco Network presented to students on the social, environmental and personal effects of overconsumption. Students investigated the origin and processing of many everyday items (such as paper, clothing & electronics). At the end of the presentation, student created an awareness ornament for the holidays that they could gift to parents, friends or family members. Each student made a “Hug-a-Tree Baby” out of a pinecone (body), acorn (head/h