February 2006 E-news

Climate Change Videos

Here’s our picks for some great climate change videos:
Climate mash video. An animated music video, done to the Monster Mash song, of the worldwide use of fossil fuels and the serious climate change happening because of it. Hilarious.

Environmental Podcasts, Animations and Video from www.net.org. A very cool collection of media – they’ve got a funny video called Small Fish, Big Problem (where have all the fishes gone?), endangered species singing climate change holiday songs, and animations of melting ice sheets.

Youth In Media videos. A group of film students from across Canada got together a couple years ago and made a bunch of ads on climate change awareness - they did a great job of connecting people to real things happening around the world. Make sure to check out the one on how our hockey rinks are shrinking while the planet’s warming up.

If you’ve got any more that you know about, send us the links – we’ll pass them on.

Youth Environment Network’s Green Justice Guide

The Youth Environmental Network (YEN) started up in 2001 by a group of environmental groups. They were all Canadian, all youth, and they wanted to focus on issues that were important to the Canadian youth and the environment. They started YEN from the ground up – YEN brings together all the different groups working across the country, and helps them raise their profile, work together and connect to a way bigger group of youth.

A few years back, they created the Green Justice Project and the Green Justice Guide. They’re a challenge to the common ideas about environmentalism, and a challenge to youth to take a look at the way they think about the environment. In the guide you’ll find ways to build up your skills and start up your own positive ideas and projects to help bring in a new environmental movement.

You can find the guide on the Youth Action Centre website here.

International Young Eco-Heroes Awards

Do you know any YOUNG ECO-HEROES aged 8 to 16 years? Let them know about Action For Nature’s 2006 International Young Eco-Hero awards program. The awards are for outstanding youth working for a healthier environment – as researchers, activists, advocates, educators, and many others. Winners receive a cash prize and recognition for their environmental accomplishments. But the deadline is February 28, 2006 – check it out soon. More details at www.actionfornature.org/eco-hero/ecoheroawards.html.

Gathering Our Voices 2006

An Aboriginal Youth Conference in the Traditional Territory of the Secwepemc People in Kamloops, B.C., from March 12-15, 2006.

Aboriginal youth aged 13-24 are invited to gather in Kamloops at Thompson Rivers University and take part in a dynamic and educational conference over spring break. Gathering our Voices 2006 will focus on Aboriginal Health and Justice Issues. The gathering will feature interactive and informative workshops, career and education fair, cultural teachings, group activities, and Youth Talent Showcase! Registration and workshop information will be posted soon at www.bcaafc.com For further information, contact Dianne Biin, Youth Conference Coordinator.