Congratulations to this year’s Youth Cool It! Climate Leadership Training program participants.These students are helping lead the way toward a more sustainable future in our region, bringing curiosity, creativity and responsibility to the challenge of climate change.
Over this past school year, 2,418 students from 104 classrooms across the region participated in the BC Sustainable Energy Association’s (BCSEA) program, exploring climate science, energy use and practical ways to reduce emissions in their daily lives. Students then put their learning into action with a four-week take home challenge, working with their families to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint at home and in their communities.
Here are just a few of the actions taken by participating students this year:
- adjusted diets to incorporate more meat free meals, eating leftovers and using home grown vegetables and herbs;
- started walking, riding or taking public transit more often;
- conducted home energy audits and made basic improvements to home energy efficiency by exploring online resources, programming thermostat, improving air sealing;
- researched wildfire preparedness and reviewed and updated household emergency plans;
- mapped and researched local community assets.
Youth leadership is an important part of creating resilient, low-carbon communities. Programs like Cool It! help ensure that young people are equipped not only to understand the challenges ahead, but to be part of shaping solutions.
From small changes at school to broader community awareness, the impact of these young leaders is already being felt. Their efforts show how individual actions, when combined, can make a meaningful difference. During the challenge, students committed to 15,411 actions that reduce energy and carbon emissions at home, which will result in savings of 438.5 tonnes of CO2e annually, if continued for one year.
Delivered in partnership with the BC Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA), the Cool It! Climate Leadership Training program supports youth in building the knowledge and confidence to take action on climate issues.
This year, the Capital Regional District (CRD) sponsored 43 workshops, with additional workshops sponsored by the District of Saanich, the City of Victoria, the District of Oak Bay, the District of Sooke, the District of Central Saanich, the Town of Sidney, the City of Colwood, and the Town of View Royal.
To learn more about the Cool It! Climate Leadership Training program, visit www.bcsea.org/Cool-It.
