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Youth-Led
Environmental Activism
Intro
Ecology is the
spiritual, physical, and practical relationship we have to the earth.
The Freechild Project has found that around the world young people are advocating for protection and
working to restore damaged environments. These groups teach us that
each person has a personal and social responsibility to the world we
live in, to act as a steward and advocate for the earth.
Point to Ponder
The human population is increasing dramatically as is
its impact on the global environment. Pollution is in the air, the
water, the ocean, and the land. Forests are being cut down, wild
rivers dammed, tropical forests burned, wetlands paved over, numerous
animal and plant species are driven extinct; once fertile lands are
becoming wastelands, food is polluted with pesticides, the land is
leveled and cut to find and extract oil, gas, coal, metals and
minerals. What are you doing to make a difference? (Taken
from
here)
Resources
The following resources are websites and organizations that Freechild
youth researchers have found that can help young people and adults
discover how young people are making a difference for the environment.
YES! Action Camps
420 Bronco Rd.
Soquel, CA 95073
One of the leading youth-run environmental organizations in the world. YES! conducts a national speaking and workshop tour, as well as three-week-long summer Action Camps in seven countries.
The largest student environmental organization in the world. SEAC's goal is to put students in contact with the resources to best fit their needs.
A national, nonprofit organization that is youth-driven and nonpartisan. Their vision is to build the most effective program to help young people, ages 10-14, improve the environment through developing citizenship skills and addressing real environmental issues in their communities and nationally.
Kids Saving the Rainforest
When they were nine years old, Janine Licare Andrews and Aislin Livingstone
sold painted rocks at a roadside table in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica to raise
money to help protect local rainforests and endangered wildlife. In 1999, the
girls opened a store to sell their artwork as well as the work of local
artists and craftspeople. All of the store's profits go toward preserving
rainforest land, rehabilitating baby animals, and educating people around the
world about the connection between humans and nature.
6891 Lerner Hall
New York, NY 10027
A guide for youth organizing for sustainable
development. Key sections to visit are The Basics, which describes our mission
and the importance of sustainability, and Get Involved, which lays out a
detailed campaign plan for you to use on your campus.
Kids
F.A.C.E-Kids For A Clean Environment
A newsletter (founded by
Melissa Poe at age 9) for elementary-age kids interested in
environmental issues.
Tree Musketeers
136 Main St
Suite A
El Segundo, CA
90245
(310)322-0263
Tree Musketeers empowers young people to lead environmental improvement
in Earth's communities through innovative action and education programs
that motivate others to become partners in a united youth movement. At
Tree Musketeers kids learn the business and personal skills required to
lead environmental actions, and then teach others. This Young Executive
concept is woven throughout all programs and is key to empowerment.
EarthYouth c/o TakingITGlobal
42 Charles St. East
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4Y 1T4
(416) 928-3362 ext. 4225
The Freechild Project webpage that features
organizations, websites, and publications emphasizing young people's
contributions to sustainable agriculture and other
food-related action.
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