Premier Launches Youth Climate Action Program
The Youth Climate Leadership Alliance (YCLA) is a Ministry of Environment initiative for British Columbians between the ages of 17 and 28 who are concerned about climate change and want to take direct action to help achieve the province's goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions from 2007 levels by 33 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.
“Young people are excited and enthusiastic about the chance to be ambassadors for our climate’s future,” said Premier Gordon Campbell. “This program will provide them with skills and knowledge they can use in their communities to help ensure a sustainable environment, and to encourage British Columbians of all ages to make carbon-smart lifestyle choices that are good for the environment, their health, their pocketbook and our planet.”
Currently, 10 YCLA Climate Action Facilitators are working directly with Local Governments to facilitate climate action activities that will;
- Engage and encourage youth in B.C. to take action on the climate
- Increase British Columbians’ awareness and understanding of the importance of climate action activities
- Provide youth with the opportunity to get involved in climate action initiatives in government
- Provide experience and career opportunities for youth in the BC Public Service
- Victoria (Capital Regional District)
- Courtenay (Comox Valley Regional District)
- Metro Vancouver
- Grand Forks / Nelson
- Squamish
- Quesnel
- Cranbrook (East Kootenays)
- Prince George
- Acting as a climate change curriculum resource for K-12 teachers
- Helping promote and implement the Trees for Tomorrow campaign
- Connecting high school students with local stewardship initiatives
- Identifying local stewardship groups that are conducting climate change research
- Meeting the needs of local governments by continuing to assist with the Idle Reduction program and other local government climate change initiatives.
