TANNARA YELLAND
Associate News Editor

Youth converged on Parliament Hill from Oct. 23 to 26 to voice their dissatisfaction with the government’s inaction on climate change.

The initiative, known as Power Shift, was organized by the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition as a way for Canada’s young adults to express their desire for more active environmental legislation.

Power Shift was more than merely 1,000 youth meeting to address their environmental concerns, according to CYCC national director Amber Church. Concerts, keynote speakers, workshops and government lobbying were all on the roster for the four days of the event. Power Shift wrapped up Monday with a national press conference.

Church emphasized the importance of Power Shift in rallying Canadian youth and adults to the climate change movement. According to Church it was “the largest ever youth gathering on the environment in the nation’s history.”

“There are a few goals of Power Shift. It’s a moment for the youth climate movement in Canada”¦. Young people sometimes feel very isolated because maybe they’re the only youth in their school that cares (about the environment). This is a chance to see they’re part of a larger movement.”

To underscore this, a rally was held on Oct. 23 on Parliament Hill that was part of a global series of environmental rallies. Saskatoon residents held a similar protest on Oct. 24, marching from Kinsmen Park to the Farmer’s Market.

Power Shift is also about bringing the issue of climate change to the attention of average Canadians. It is important, Church feels, that both the Canadian public and the media understand how important environmental issues are to Canadian youth, and why.

Both Power Shift and the CYCC are geared toward encouraging youth involvement in political issues and organizers recognize that many students may be willing to get involved but unsure what to do or how to do it. To that end, the organizers set up workshops to teach attendees some skills that will serve them in their future activist efforts. There were sessions on campus activism and creative actions as well as on lobbying government officials.

“We’re trying to equip these youth with the skills they need when they get home,” Church said.

The CYCC has several other initiatives planned for the near future. In an effort to make Prime Minister Harper commit to stopping climate change, 35 Canadians will be going to the Copenhagen climate conference from Dec. 6 to 18 as the “Canadian youth delegation.”

There will also be a home team working in Canada to drum up domestic pressure on the government and to “make sure the Canadian public knows what’s going on,” Church explained.

The home team offers volunteer and activism experience without the hefty price tag of a trip to Copenhagen.

Both projects will take place in December with the conference. The green jobs campaign, which is just beginning, will continue for some time. The global financial crisis that has caused massive lay-offs and the environmental problems associated with rampant unchecked use of resources have created a need for environmentally sustainable jobs.

Church said the campaign has already begun online and they hope to work closely with both the provincial and federal governments to develop new “green” jobs.