A student from École Secondaire Lacombe Composite High School has played a pivotal role in crafting the Canadian Child Climate Manifesto 2024, a comprehensive document outlining youth demands for climate action.
Broc Johnson (16), a dedicated member of his school's Environmental Club, Ecovision, was instrumental in the creation of the manifesto, which aims to address critical climate issues facing Canada and the world.
Broc's journey into environmental advocacy began in the classroom of his teacher, Steve Schultz, who invited him to join the Ecovision Club.
"I started out small by helping to harvest herbs and deliver honey every Wednesday," said Broc. "And then it evolved into going to meetings and presenting eco-initiatives in different places."
Broc's enthusiasm and commitment quickly grew, leading him to participate in various environmental presentations and conferences, including a significant presentation at Red Deer Polytechnic.
"Each time I present, I still learn a lot," he said, as the experience paved the way for his participation in the Canadian Child Climate Manifesto.
Schultz played a pivotal role in Broc's journey. After witnessing the positive impact and dedication Broc displayed in the Ecovision Club, Schultz encouraged him to become more involved in larger projects. This included participating in decarbonization presentations and eventually attending a writer's retreat for the manifesto.
At the retreat, Broc joined other students from across Canada to brainstorm and synthesize common themes related to climate change, which later formed the basis of the manifesto. The manifesto, created as part of the Centre for Global Education's #decarbonize program, synthesizes the thoughts, opinions, and calls for action from Canadian students. It is Canada's largest child-authored document on climate change, addressing several key areas:
- Climate Education: The manifesto demands improved climate education in Canadian schools.
- Community Engagement and Indigenous Inclusion: The manifesto highlights the importance of including Indigenous perspectives in climate discussions. Over 82% of surveyed students rarely observe Indigenous teachings in their curriculum, a gap that the manifesto calls to address.
- Government Action and Accountability: Students demand immediate and impactful actions from the government.
- Food Security and Local Food Support: The manifesto addresses the growing concern of food insecurity exacerbated by climate change.
- Renewable Energy and Transportation: The manifesto calls for increased investments in renewable energy infrastructure and the transition to non-motorized and public transportation.
"Broc's involvement in the manifesto is a testament to his commitment to environmental advocacy," said Schultz. "His contributions reflect the passion and determination of our students to create a sustainable future."
Broc's participation in the manifesto also led to a significant opportunity: he was invited to present the document to prominent Canadian leaders, including members of the Senate and the Minister of Environment.
"Presenting to these important people gave me hope for change and showed me that we can do something about it," Broc said.
Looking ahead, he hopes to continue his environmental advocacy on an international stage. He has been invited to attend the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia.
"This trip makes me feel like we are not the only ones who care about this stuff," said Broc. "We will continue to raise awareness, advocate for change, until meaningful action is taken to address the climate crisis."
You can follow Broc's journey and learn more about EcoVision Projects www.lchsecovision.weebly.com
