Youth Advisory Committee’s Blog!

Canadian politics is full of all sorts of different issues. The economy. Global Warming. Afghanistan. Education. Oil. These are all some of the issues that politicians have to be thinking of all the time. Now, its time for you to give some advice. Help come up with ideas for a better Canada and get your bill proposed to be new federal legislation. All high school students in Member of Parliament Paul Dewar’s riding (Ottawa Centre)are welcome to enter the contest. The deadline is May 7th, 2010 at 9 PM, so go to the website below and learn more. Help make Canada’s tomorrow a better tomorrow!

http://pauldewar.ca/en/take-action/campaigns/170-create-your-canada.html

Are you finishing up high school and wondering how on earth you are going to afford post-secondary education? Well, every year Toyota offers an Earth Day Scholarship to engaged youth who are making a difference in their communities and schools. You may be eligible to apply!

Check it out: http://www.earthday.ca/scholarship/index.php

Deadline:February 28, 2010 (Try your best not to leave it to the last moment!)

Although COP 15 did not produce a legally binding treaty that required emissions reductions to an ecologically sustainable level, it was very successful in one aspect: the level of youth participation. Hundreds of youth from all over the world traveled to Copenhagen last December to represent the young generation from their respective countries and protest for a binding, fair, and ambitious climate deal. Canada alone sent 34 youth as the official Canadian Youth Delegation. There, they lobbied Canadian government negotiators, including chief negotiator Michael Martin, to sign a treaty calling for an emissions reduction of 25% – 40% below 1990 levels. They also held demonstrations against the Canadian Tar Sands, urging Prime Minister Harper to stop “tarring our image” and shut down the Tar Sands. Although Canada is seen as a laggard at climate change negotiations, these youths have been doing their part to change our reputation and mindsets.

Check out these links for cool videos!

http://vimeo.com/8251810 or http://cydcopenhagen.org/

Check out this youtube video about Canadian youth protesting the tar sands!

December was an exciting time for the planet. Leaders across the globe were meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark between Dec. 11 and 18th to negotiate and reach a conclusion that commits nations to targets that will help mitigate the worst effects of climate change. On December 17th,  the leaders of tomorrow in Surrey were invited to come together, learn from each other, and gain support as they strive to create the future we all want for our children. Students from the Surrey district were invited to come together to discuss how they could become a part of “the wave” of action that is growing around the globe.

This one day event was supported by the City of Surrey, Guildford Recreation Center, Environment Canada’s Eco Action program, H2O-Canada (Hope 2 Others), Check Your Head, and other organizations and individuals coming together to reach out and support youth wanting to make a difference in their communities.

Purpose of ‘The Wave’ Youth Action Gathering

The aim was to provide a place for youth to become inspired by each other’s work, and to provide an opportunity for participants to discover a project, organization, or potential education and career direction that moves them to action.

What is ‘The Wave’?

Other than something that surfers like to ride, we refer to the ‘The Wave’ as the growing grassroots movement around the world that incorporates all of the cool and awesome things going on to help make the world a better place.

All around us, people are coming together to face the environmental and social issues of our generation. Climate Change, global poverty, and financial uncertainty – these are all things that are hard to cope with alone. That is why people and organizations are joining forces to lead ‘The Wave’ of the future. A hopeful place where society is breaking free from the tide of trouble, and sharing the way forward with just solutions for all.

This youth action gathering was about finding out how to get involved in our community, to meet other likeminded people– or to learn about how they can change the future.  This event was a chance for students to explore their passions while enhancing skills that will help them ride ‘The Wave’.

What did the day look like?

In the morning we got together to discuss all the great things that are happening to deal with the big issues out there that we often hear about on the news. We learned about future-proof ways of living, so that the way we live does not become a problem for the generations ahead.

• Students took part in 2 workshop sessions that were offered in the morning.  Workshops on film making, fundraising’, leadership skills and more were offered, including the following:
  • Jodie Martinson, filmmaker, To The Tarsands, provided insight into first time film making or digital storytelling.
  • Check Your Head,  offered a workshop on Pro-Diversity leadership
  • H2O-Canada,  offered a workshop on environmental leadership and clean water issues
  • Metro Vancouver offered a session to help you envision a ZERO waste school
  • Beyond Chocolate Almonds, an overview of fundraising tactics (to be confirmed)
  • In the afternoon students were introduced to people leading ‘The Wave’ of change, and they had a chance to explore ideas and projects that  they may like to be apart of.  These people were provided with the resources and connections to make things happen.

Lately, you may have been bombarded by information blaming carbon dioxide for global warming. While scientists are still debating whether carbon dioxide is the true cause of climate change and whether we have enough data to support the theory of global warming, we can be sure our carbon dioxide emissions are causing more harm than good. What happens to carbon dioxide when it is emitted into the atmosphere? Well, carbon dioxide (CO₂) likes to, in water molecules (H₂O) in the air, make carbonic acid (H₂CO₃):

CO₂ + H₂O –> H₂CO₃

The carbonic acid then falls back to the Earth’s surface as acid rain. The industrial revolution, beginning over 200 years ago, was when we first began emitting carbon dioxide. Since then, enough acid rain has fallen to make the ocean more acidic by 0.1pH (pH is a unit of acidity). 0.1 may seem like a small number to you, but consider this: if your blood changes by more than 0.4pH, you could not survive.

The coral reefs at the bottom of the ocean have felt the impacts of carbonic acid. The small plants and animal’s ability to survive is greatly reduced when the pH changes by just a little bit. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States, the skeletons of the coral and the shells of microscopic marine organisms are not as strong as they are supposed to be from the acidity.

The coral reefs residing at the bottom of the ocean are probably the furthest living life from the atmosphere and our carbon dioxide emissions. Yet, they too have felt the impacts of our choices.

The 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark wrapped up recently after world leaders met to discuss solutions to the problem of climate change. Hopefully, the conference attendees made time to discuss ways to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, especially through the use of alternative energies, such as hydrogen power.

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, so hydrogen power is considered to be a renewable and sustainable method of energy production. Hydrogen fuel cells can generate electricity about as efficiently as fossil fuels and produce only water and heat as waste. These batteries can be placed in vehicles and used instead of gasoline- and diesel-consuming engines.

However, there are problems with hydrogen fuel technology that must be dealt with before its widespread use can become a reality. Electricity is required in order to make hydrogen into a useable fuel. Therefore, hydrogen fuel is only as environmentally friendly as the electricity used to produce it. There is also evidence that the way in which hydrogen fuel cells consume hydrogen may contribute to the depletion of the atmosphere’s ozone layer, which is essential for life on Earth. Hydrogen is also very explosive (although gasoline and diesel are too).

At this point, hydrogen fuel cell technology is still relatively new. Although it is not totally problem-free, it is very promising as a major source of energy in the future. With more research, hydrogen fuel could be a great tool in the fight against climate change.

December 10th, 2009 marked the 61st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Check out this cool video that traces the origins of rights.

When you hear the buzzword “human rights”, what does it mean to you? Take some time to think about what rights mean to you and your community!

Hey everyone!

December 1st is World AIDS Day, in dedication to one of the most serious health problems in the world. There is no society in today’s world that is immune to AIDS and that has not been touched by it. AIDS, standing for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome”, is a metamorphosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which weakens the body’s immune system. Transmitted in a variety of ways, including unprotected sex, transfusions, contaminated needles and from mothers to children, victims of HIV/AIDS are infected for life. The United Nations Day was created in order to raise awareness, understanding, sympathy and support for those with AIDS.

Since this month we’re talking about International AIDS awareness month, I’d like to encourage you to check out LetsStopAids, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring you (young people!) to take action relating to HIV and AIDS within local and international communities. Their most recent project, Spread Trees, not AIDS, tackles issues of AIDS and HIV awareness as well as environmental degradation in South Africa.

Check out http://www.LetsStopAIDS.org or the group LetsStopAids on Facebook for more information!

At the age of 33, Ontario resident Scott Simpson was diagnosed with HIV. After a period of deep depression, he began taking anti-HIV medication, called antiretrovirals (ARVs). As the drugs began to take effect, Scott’s hopes and dreams grew and he gained a new lease on life, even participating in triathlon events for the first time in his life.

Although he had access to ARV medication, he realized that he was a minority among HIV-positive people in the world. His desire to help others with HIV led to his involvement with a new organization, Dignitas International, which provides ARVs to HIV-positive people in Malawi, where about 15% of the population is estimated to be HIV-positive.

Eventually, Scott’s dream and the effort of some University of Toronto students evolved into an annual stationary bike-a-thon fundraiser that has risen over $1 million for Dignitas International.

To find out more about this amazing event and the organization, please visit: http://www.dignitasinternational.org/articles.aspx?aid=225

This video documents the third annual Race for Dignity Challenge that took place in Toronto in July 2009:
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSOy-m3NCxI&feature=player_embedded]

Green Street, a Canadian environmental education program, has received all of its applications for our Youth Leadership Challenge. The Youth Leadership Challenge rewards $750 of funding to top environmental and social justice projects run by students in the K-12 system. We are now looking for dedicated and experienced youth like you to become mentors for the projects that are selected for funding.
As a mentor, you will be asked to help carry out these projects by providing guidance to youth projects. It is important you do not take over or change a project. You can expect to spend around five hours per month as a Green Street Mentor.
The goal of the leadership challenge is to help youths overcome obstacles in their projects so they can contribute in meaningful ways to their communities. You are a key part to this project, because financial contribution alone is not enough to ensure success.
As a mentor, you will build the capacity of youth leaders as well as reflect on your own values and experiences as a community leader. Together, mentors and youths will build sustainable communities, and this is your opportunity to be part of this process.

Tangible ways mentors can contribute:

* Introduce project leaders to your networks and important contacts.
* Attend any events or fundraising activities organized by your project.
* Provide feedback during the project planning process.
* Check up on project leaders at least once a month.
* Provide advice to project leaders (to help overcome barriers, market project,
* Transfer leadership skills to project leaders (how to recruit volunteers, facilitate meetings, public speaking, advocacy skills).
* Engage adults and professionals in the community.
* Provide resources (information, educational materials).

Benefits of being a mentor:

* Help new young leaders emerge.
* Contribute to community and school-based projects.
* Personal and professional growth from teaching others.
* Part of a Green Street’s National Youth Leadership network.
* Expand contact network.
* Fun and rewarding!

If you are interested, please fill out email the short form found below to ajiang@utschools.ca and cwilliscroft@green-street.ca by December 8, 2009.

Name:
City:
Experience:
Area(s) of Expertise:
Experience:
Other clubs and organizations you are involved with:
Number of hours you can commit each month:
Reason for becoming a mentor:

Please keep your answers short.

Thanks for your interest!