Ocean Wise, GreenLearning and TakingITGlobal, launch youth climate action coalition Waves of Change 

Waves of Change, a new national coalition, aims to inspire youth action on climate change 

On April 13, in advance of Earth Day, Ocean Wise, TakingITGlobal, GreenLearning, and the Centre for Global Education launched Waves of Change, providing youth across Canada with educational opportunities and actions to fight climate change in their communities.   

Waves of Change is a Canadian bilingual (English/French) coalition of partners in climate education. Each partner has developed innovative programs – ranging from an online climate application to interactive education kits – to engage youth in every province and territory through education and climate actions.  

The coalition reaches urban and rural communities with learning opportunities that make clear the connections between climate change, ocean health, and personal action. Programming will equip students with the knowledge and tools to inspire their peers and broader communities to take climate action. 

“The impacts of climate change will be felt throughout the lives of today’s youth, so investing in educational opportunities for this generation is one of the most important steps we can take to fight climate change and protect the environment now and into the future. The Government of Canada is pleased to provide $6 million toward this Canada-wide project to provide climate change learning opportunities to more than 2 million youth,” said The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of the launch.  

Multiple ways to learn

The exciting new initiative officially launched at the North Vancouver District Sustainability and Climate Action Week with the debut of the Ocean Wise Sea Dome, a new immersive marine experience (read more about the action-packed week here). 

Initiatives include:  

• TakingITGlobal’s Commit2Act App (soon to launch) where youth can track and celebrate the collective impact of daily climate actions alongside a network of other ocean champions  
  
• Ocean Wise Education Kits, containing lesson plans, activities and resources to bring ocean literacy to K-12 classrooms to educate, equip, and empower students to be ocean stewards. This includes two exciting new education kits:
  1) Plastic Pollution: The earth’s oceans and the interconnected cycle of water and waterways are vital to life – but plastic is everywhere in our oceans. The Plastic Pollution Kit helps youth to become aware of their own use of plastics and how this impacts their environment. Through these resources, Ocean Wise hopes youth will become leaders of change – and it all starts in the classroom.
  2) Átl’ka7tsem/Txwnéwu7ts/ Howe Sound: Howe Sound is a coastal fjord ecosystem in the Salish Sea. It is a vital area to First Nation communities. This kit uses Átl’ka7tsem/ Txwnéwu7ts/ Howe Sound as a case study to lead students to recognize how ecosystems, species, human impact, and climate change are interconnected. This work is essential for students to make informed decisions as the future stewards of our planet. 

• GreenLearning’s free interactive, educational resources and eCards that simplify complex climate change issues and provide templates for advocacy.   

Ocean Wise, TakingITGlobal and GreenLearning co-developed Waves of Change and were a successful coalition of applicants to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund. This project is possible thanks to the financial support of the Government of Canada.  

For a full list of Waves of Change offerings, please visit the Waves of Change website!

Quotes about Waves of Change

Scott Bohachyk, Director of Ocean and Climate Literacy, Ocean Wise  

“Ocean Wise is thrilled to launch Waves of Change with fellow leaders in the climate change education space. Together with our partners, we are starting a movement to educate youth and empower actions to fight climate change. We are especially excited about the launch of the new Ocean Wise Sea Dome, an immersive marine dome that allows youth to explore and learn about their natural environment. Wherever you are in Canada, Waves of Change is coming.”   

Kristina Johnston, Program Director, GreenLearning  

“GreenLearning is pleased to be involved in the Waves of Change project. For over 30 years, our organization has provided education on climate change to empower both educators and students across the country in taking climate action within their communities. As a partner in the project, working alongside Ocean Wise and Taking it Global, we are excited to contribute backgrounders, learning activities and interactive tools, including a digital research and advocacy tool called eCards that will engage and inform decision makers about the need for climate action and ocean protection,” says   

Liam O’Doherty Director of Digital Youth Engagement, TakingITGlobal  

“TakingITGlobal is excited to contribute to Waves of Change through Commit2Act, an action tracking system which will accelerate youth action on our oceans, our climate and the Sustainable Development Goals. We can’t wait to incorporate this tool across the program and through the #Decarbonize youth dialogue with our partners at The Centre for Global Education. #Decarbonize has the mission of empowering youth across Canada and around the globe through collaborative online learning and meaningful climate action.”