A young person from Whitehorse has joined Canada’s Environment and Climate Change Youth Council for the next two years. Pearl Pique Carpina is the only member from the northern territories in this new group of twelve youth selected from across the country. The council advises the federal government on environmental issues, helping shape important decisions.
Carpina’s passion for the environment started early in her life in the Philippines, where she grew up on a rice farm. Surrounded by nature, she developed a deep connection to the land. Now a graduate in environmental and conservation sciences from Yukon University, she has gained valuable experience working on climate-related projects with the Yukon Research Centre and the Yukon government. Currently, she works as an assessment officer with the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board.
Carpina is eager to understand how political decisions about the environment are made. She said, “I want to bring the power of science and truth together with traditional knowledge from my upbringing and the Yukon.”
Emily Ross, who was part of the council’s first cohort from 2022 to 2024, describes her experience as transformational. She emphasized the determination of her group to push for system changes despite challenges. “We often faced resistance and bureaucratic hurdles,” she noted.
With a federal election underway, Ross pointed out that political shifts can create uncertainty for climate initiatives. Yet, she insists that youth perspectives must remain central to environmental conversations, regardless of who holds power. This viewpoint aligns with recent studies showing that young people are becoming increasingly active in advocating for climate action.
The shift to a greener future is not just a local issue; it reflects a global concern. According to a recent survey from the International Energy Agency, young people are particularly vocal, with 70% believing that governments should prioritize renewable energy investments. This statistic highlights the urgency surrounding climate action and the vital role youth play in the conversation.
As Carpina steps into this role, her goal reflects a broader movement among young people. They are challenging the status quo and pushing for a future where science, traditional knowledge, and inclusivity shape climate policy. This trend is essential as the world grapples with rising temperatures and environmental degradation. It’s clear that, in the fight against climate change, the voices of the younger generation are more important than ever.
Check out this related article: Surprising Impact: How Even Small CO2 Emissions Could Drive Global Temperatures to Rise by 7°C by 2200
Source linkClimate Change,Youth Council,Emily Ross,Yukon University
