Discover Canada’s Youth Climate Council: Meet the Sole Northerner Making Waves for Environmental Change | CBC News

A young Yukoner, Pearl Pique Carpina, has joined Canada’s Environment and Climate Change Youth Council, where she will serve for the next two years. She’s the only representative from the northern territories among a dozen youth chosen from across the country. This council advises the federal government on environmental and climate issues, helping shape important decisions.

Pearl’s passion for the environment started early in her life in the Philippines. Growing up on a rice farm, she learned to appreciate the land and nature. Now, she holds a degree in environmental and conservation sciences from Yukon University and has experience working on climate-related projects with institutions like the Yukon Research Centre and the Yukon government.

As an assessment officer with the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board, she is eager to understand how decisions are made. Pearl wants to merge scientific knowledge with traditional wisdom in conversations about climate actions. “What’s the environmental lens in political decision-making?” she wonders. Her curiosity drives her commitment to the council.

Emily Ross, who was part of the council’s inaugural group, has spoken highly of her time there. She highlighted how the council challenged long-standing practices in pursuit of real change, even amidst bureaucratic challenges. Emily noted that the council needed to reflect the urgency they felt from their communities, especially now, as federal elections loom.

With a new cohort entering the council, the timing is crucial. Political shifts can create uncertainty, but they also emphasize the importance of including youth voices in climate discussions. In fact, a recent survey revealed that 70% of Canadian youth feel their perspectives aren’t considered in climate policies, showcasing the need for youth representation like Pearl’s.

As climate issues become more urgent, councils like this play a vital role in ensuring decisions reflect young people’s concerns and aspirations. With rising public interest in climate change actions, the Youth Council could serve as a bridge between youth and policymakers, bringing fresh insights to the forefront. For a deeper look at the impact of youth voices in policymaking, check out the Youth Action on Climate Change Report.

In these changing times, the commitment of Pearl and her peers to advocate for their communities has never been more important. Their experiences symbolize a hopeful push toward a sustainable future.

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