A group of nine youth and a Museum staff member smiling together. All are wearing matching t-shirts with an illustrated globe and the words “GenAction! / Youth Climate / Alliance”. On the right side of the group is a sign reading, “Our Changing Climate”.

Climate Heroes: Youth Against Climate Change

Climate Heroes: Youth Against Climate Change

Posted on by Rebecca Watson
Posted on: Friday January 5, 2024
Two youth wearing Youth Climate Alliance t-shirts engage with three young visitors at a pop-up exhibit.

By Mika Pineda, Learning and Engagement producer for Youth Climate Action at the Manitoba Museum

Working with youth always fascinates me. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and eagerness to learn are contagious; even tackling a complicated topic such as climate change is something that they are ready to take on.

Climate change is a global concern.  It is the long-term change in the Earth’s overall temperature, with massive and mostly permanent effects.  You see, climate change solutions are not simple for many, but for youth, you would be surprised with what they can come up with given the opportunity.

Young people play an important role in combating the climate crisis. They hold power in making a difference in the community and accelerate climate action. With youth’s increasing awareness and knowledge about climate change, many institutions are stepping up to provide a platform for them to pursue their climate change advocacies.

 

Participants host events to raise awareness and start important climate conversations. ©Manitoba Museum

The Manitoba Museum launched its first-ever Youth Climate Alliance program in March 2023. The Youth Climate Alliance is a group of high school students, age 14-18, who work together to better understand climate change and its impacts. Through a series of workshops and training, the Youth Climate Alliance host events “by and for” youth.

Since then, the program has had two cohorts with each cohort tackling various issues surrounding climate change – from global and local impacts of climate change to clothing and fast fashion. The participants of the Youth Climate Alliance organize and develop an event that aims to raise awareness and start important climate conversations with their fellow youth and even adults.

A group of nine youth and a Museum staff member smiling together. All are wearing matching t-shirts with an illustrated globe and the words “GenAction! / Youth Climate / Alliance”. On the right side of the group is a sign reading, “Our Changing Climate”.

The Climate Alliance works together to better understand climate change and its impacts. ©Manitoba Museum

Three youth wearing Youth Climate Alliance t-shirts stand behind a pop-up exhibit table with a shirt laid out in front of them. On a screen behind them text reads, "Clothing Materials that are Harmful:"

Do you know what your clothes are really made of? The Climate Alliance does! ©Manitoba Museum

While climate change is a big and complicated issue that the world is facing right now, programs such as the Youth Climate Alliance help provide a glimmer of hope to many, and with the start of the new year, the next cohort of the program is also around the corner!

Join the Alliance! The next cohort of the Youth Climate Alliance is now accepting applications.

Click here to find more details

Three youth wearing Youth Climate Alliance t-shirts stand behind a pop-up exhibit table with a container of water and two balloons floating in front of them.

The first cohort of the Alliance tackled the topic of global and local impacts of climate change. ©Manitoba Museum

Two smiling youth stand either side of a small rack of clothes. A poster on the rack reads, "Guess which items are fast fashion vs sustainable".

The second Climate Alliance cohort explored the issue of “fast fashion” and the industry’s impact on climate. ©Manitoba Museum