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Now Playing | In collaboration with communities across British Columbia, the Youth Climate Corps challenges what resilience looks like through youth led, locally designed, climate action initiatives.

Young climate advocates are challenging the U.S. government in court, demanding accountability for climate change inactions.Ruxandra Guidi reports for High Country News.In short:Young activists, including a notable 23-year-old plaintiff in the Juliana v. United States case, leverage legal battles to hold the U.S. government accountable for climate negligence.These legal challenges, rooted in the Atmospheric Trust Litigation principle, assert the government's failure to protect the constitutional rights of its younger citizens.Historical context shows that youth have always been pivotal in driving significant political movements, emphasizing the enduring power of young voices in societal change.Key quote:“There are simple things you can do in your own homes, like not let the water run, or turn off the lights when you’re not using them. You could teach these things to your children. Every choice we make is for or against our future.”— 6-year-old Xiuhtezcatl MartinezWhy this matters:The impact of youth activism is undeniable. It has reinvigorated older generations of environmentalists, brought climate issues to the forefront of political debates, and even influenced the strategies of nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups. Their call for action is not just about reducing carbon emissions or protecting natural habitats but encompasses a broader vision of social justice, equity, and intergenerational responsibility.Youth environmental activism has moved us forward in many ways—but to maximize this impact we need coalitions that learn from the past in order to prepare for the future.

In a significant legal battle over Montana's environmental policy, young plaintiffs push back against the state's Supreme Court appeal, defending their right to a cleaner future. Blair Miller reports for Daily Montanan.In short:Youth plaintiffs argue that Montana’s constitution mandates a clean environment, refuting the state's appeal against a ruling that favored environmental protections.They highlight the 1972 Constitution framers' intent to empower courts in safeguarding Montanans' environmental rights.The state's contention that local greenhouse gas emissions have a minimal global impact is challenged by the plaintiffs, emphasizing the importance of addressing local environmental degradation.Key quote:“As the trial record and District Court’s Order make clear, this case is about harm to Montana’s environment, natural resources and climate (and consequently its children) caused by [greenhouse gas] pollution and climate change.”— Attorneys for the plaintiffs in Held v. MontanaWhy this matters:Fueled by a sense of urgency and a demand for action on climate change, young climate activists are leveraging lawsuits to push for more aggressive environmental protections and policy reforms. The legal actions spearheaded by these young Americans are not just symbolic gestures but are grounded in the belief that current and future generations have the constitutional right to a stable climate and a healthy environment.

Congressional Democrats are calling out the Biden administration for its efforts to derail a pivotal youth-led climate lawsuit.Lesley Clark reports for E&E News.In short:A group of 29 Democratic Congress members and Sen. Bernie Sanders urges the Biden administration to halt its attempts to dismiss the Juliana v. United States climate case.They argue this legal battle is crucial for young Americans seeking to protect their constitutional rights against government inaction on climate change.The Department of Justice's actions to prevent the case from going to trial are deemed unprecedented and a silencing of youth advocacy for environmental justice.Key quote:"As decades of evidence in the record show, the political branches predominantly choose short-term economic gains rather than face the difficult task of solving the issue of climate change head-on."— Congressional Democrats in an amicus briefWhy this matters:Young voters have become a crucial demographic for the Democratic Party, often championing more radical solutions to climate change. Seeing the administration oppose a lawsuit that embodies their fears and hopes for the future might lead to disillusionment or decreased enthusiasm among these younger supporters, potentially affecting voter turnout and support.Plaintiffs in Held vs Montana argue that: “We are entitled to a ‘clean and healthful’ environment. Montana’s policies are endangering that.”

A new United Nations report emphasizes the need for enhanced protection of young environmental and human rights activists from online harassment, arrests, and violence. Nina Lakhani reports for The Guardian.In short:Young activists globally face increased risks without the support available to older counterparts, as per UN special rapporteur Mary Lawlor's findings from interviews with nearly 100 youth from 37 countries.Children and teens are leading voices in climate change and human rights, yet face significant opposition and danger, including arbitrary arrests and violence.Efforts by young activists include combating climate change, violence against women, LGBTQ+ rights, and more, with notable cases of success despite challenges.Key quote:"Climate change has been a huge driver for children and young people because they see that the planet is dying from lack of action by governments all over the world."— Mary Lawlor, UN special rapporteur on human rights defendersWhy this matters:In the past few years, youth have claimed more space in the climate change conversation. Young activists, inspired by figures like Greta Thunberg, are mobilizing across the globe even in the face of severe repression, organizing strikes, protests, and social media campaigns to demand stronger climate action from governments and corporations.

Green Riders is combatting youth unemployment and making deliveries more sustainable by making a change in the youth of South Africa. The post E-bikes are creating more jobs for South African youth appeared first on SAPeople - Worldwide South African News.

A version of this article originally appeared in The Deep Dish, our members-only newsletter. Become a member today and get the next issue directly in your inbox. The opportunity to absorb Indigenous wisdom and share that knowledge with the community is what attracted 20-year-old Nyomi Oliver (Navajo/Chicana) to the Denver nonprofit, which offers a wide variety of […] The post Native Youth Learn to Heal Their Communities Through Mycelium appeared first on Civil Eats.

On her 90th birthday, Jane Goodall shares insights on environmental conservation, emphasizing the critical role of hope and youth activism in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.Rhett A. Butler reports for Mongabay.In short:Goodall discusses the significance of fostering hope amidst environmental challenges, using the metaphor of navigating towards a shining star of hope.She underscores the impact of youth engagement in environmental activism, advocating for their influence on elections and policy changes.Goodall highlights her journey and contributions to primatology and conservation, stressing the importance of empathy and understanding in our relationship with the natural world.Key quote:"I’ve come to think of humanity as being at the mouth of a very long very dark tunnel and right at the end there’s a little star shining. And that’s hope."— Jane Goodall, primatologist and environmental advocateWhy this matters:Jane Goodall's legacy is vast and profoundly influential, not just within the realms of primatology and environmental conservation, but also in shaping public perceptions about our relationship with the natural world. Beyond her scientific achievements, Goodall is renowned for her unwavering optimism and belief in the power of young people to effect change.Our global systems, which are designed for perpetual growth, need to be fundamentally restructured to avoid the worst-case outcome.

In an important election year, more than 70 high school students across California called on candidates seeking office to back a variety of climate solutions as part of CalMatters’ Earth Day op-ed contest. These are few excerpts from finalists.

Standing Rock Youth Council Delivers Recommendations at the 23rd Session of the UNPFII  ‘Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ Right to Self-determination in the Context of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Emphasizing the Voices of Indigenous Youth’ We, the Standing Rock Youth Council, members of the Standing Rock sovereign Lakota/Nakota/Dakota Indigenous nation, are here […] The post Standing Rock Youth Council Delivers Right to Self-determination in the Context UNDRIP at the 23rd Session of UNPFII first appeared on Indigenous Environmental Network.

Past Presentation | A Climate of TRUST is the story of the scientists who developed the scientific prescriptions necessary for climate recovery, the attorney who figured out the legal basis for the right to a healthy atmosphere, and one of OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST's attorneys who is supporting these youth in court.

Now Playing | Moved by the lack of opportunity for women and youth in her community in El Salvador, Reina Molino ventures to Guatemala to study bici-maquinas—bicycle pedal-power technology. Leaving everything she knows behind, Reina embarks on an inspiring journey of self-empowerment and problem solving. Through the mentorship of Carlos, founder of the social enterprise Bici-Tec and the friendship of Geovany, Reina seeks to find her life purpose and change the lives of people in her community. For more information visit http://bicitec.org/ This video was produced on location by an Actuality Abroad student crew and shot primarily with Canon cameras.

Past Presentation | This infomercial parody pokes fun at the overuse of pesticides and herbicides and the psychology used to market them. Maui Huliau Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to promoting environmental literacy and leadership among Maui's youth. Our five main programs have served students in grades 7-12 from all Maui schools for over nine years. Our environmental filmmaking program has produced over 65 student films which have been selected more than 140 times in festivals around the world, and have won multiple awards. Through our unique hands-on programs, we seek to educate and empower Maui 12-18 year-olds to become future stewards of our natural environment.

A million dollars in scholarship money and national athletic awards are just some of goals these teens have accomplished since joining Disney Dreamers Academy in last year.

Past Presentation | The Shimuras, mother Fukumi and daughter Yoko, devote their daily lives in a lifelong pursuit to understanding and preserving Japanese textiles that are a national treasure.

Past Presentation | Cynthia Wade’s newest short documentary stars a boy who comes of age in rural Cambodia while struggling with arsenic poisoning and dreaming of becoming a karaoke star.

Now Playing | A boy is watching a soccer game on TV and gets so excited he forgets he’s in the middle of a haircut. Oops!

Now Playing | A young girl trying to get to school on time… but sometimes you need to stop and pick a pomegranate! Right?!

Past Presentation | Two extra-terrestrials Kreta and Shiva happen on the Voyager spacecraft. The encounter leaves them curious about Planet Earth, home to the strange ‘human’ species. They decide to go there.

Now Playing | Some teenagers kidnap a kid in the forest and take him to their boss in a cottage.

Past Presentation | A sister fights all odds to take care of her younger brother, until things fall apart and she is left with no option but to sell her dignity to save him.

Now Playing | In next years we must learn to live together with mr. Coronavirus, as the experts say. Are we ready?

Past Presentation | The Greenhorns explores the lives of America’s young farming community – its spirit, practices, and needs. It is the filmmaker’s hope that by broadcasting the stories and voices of these young farmers, we can build the case for those considering a career in agriculture – to embolden them, to entice them, and to recruit them into farming.

Past Presentation | Set over one summer in the shadows of Disney World. Precocious 6-year-old Moonee courts mischief and adventure with her ragtag playmates and bonds with her rebellious but caring mother. A striking picture of modern American poverty, but Mary Kaye Schilling (Newsweek) notes it pulses with “joy, life, and natural beauty.”

Past Presentation | A touching and encouraging story about a miner’s young daughter and her battle against one of the world's largest mining companies. The film depicts the destiny of an invaluable protected mine in Finnish Lapland. Is everything for sale when the bid is high enough? A film about exceptional determination, courage and love for one’s own roots and home village.

Past Presentation | This moving and humorous documentary follows six teenagers who, like the “average American child,” spend five to fifteen hours a day behind screens. Play Again unplugs these teens and takes them on their first wilderness adventure – no electricity, no cell phone coverage, no virtual reality.

Now Playing | Actor Gerard Butler embarks on a life-changing journey to see how his mother's favorite non-profit organization transforms the lives of children in some of the world's poorest countries.

Past Presentation | Pierre Dulaine, four-time ballroom dancing world champion, is fulfilling a life-long dream when he takes his program, Dancing Classrooms, back to his city of birth, Jaffa. Over a ten-week period, Pierre teaches Jewish and Palestinian Israeli children to dance and compete together. The film explores the complex stories of three children, all of whom are forced to confront issues of identity, segregation, and racial prejudice as they dance with their enemy.

Past Presentation | The story of 56 fifth graders in Brooklyn who are living on the frontline of the climate crisis, whose actions on plastic pollution morph into extraordinary leadership and scalable victories. With stop-motion animation, heartfelt kid commentary, and interviews of experts and renowned scientists who are engaged in the most cutting edge research on the harmful effects of microplastics, this alarming, yet charming narrative conveys an urgent message – Use less plastic!

Now Playing | Part two, filmed in 2019, follows the couple to their new location near Fuzhou. Their community has finally become a reality. While the first installment reflects the dreamy idealism of youth, part two is a song of experience. Can such a community thrive in modern China?

Now Playing | A little girl lives in a village with her mother where water sources are dwindling by day. Drought effects her imagination, even her doodles and drawings. Not only people but the nature struggles with the unrelenting aridness. This little girl though, never loses hope. She tries to do as best she can, sacrificing from herself for her beloved nature.

Past Presentation | Meet Nelson Kanuk, a 17-year old who learned how climate change was affecting his community. Nelson explains that the main problem facing the northern parts of the world is winter coming later and later. This increases erosion due to permafrost melt, increases flooding due to warmer temperatures, and intensifies storms because sea ice forms too late in the season now to provide a natural barrier for our coastal communities.

Now Playing | Three high school girls trek 50 miles from Florida’s Rainbow Springs State Park to the Gulf of Mexico to explore the hidden rivers, springs, and forests in their backyards. Their journey covers an important, yet unprotected, area of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and helps connect the next generation to our last remaining wild places in the Sunshine State.

Now Playing | Produced in the year 2007, a photographic essay realized in recognition of the indigenous roots, portrayed twelve adolescents belonging to Eleutério do katu, RN Brasil. Twelve years later the photographer returns to Katu in search of these protagonists, now adults, to know about his personal trajectories and his world views.

Past Presentation | In March of 2012 four students from the President’s Leadership Circle at Frostburg State University journeyed to a remote village in Uganda to discover a radically simple solution to an urgent global problem. What they found there changed their lives in unexpected ways. A Simpler Way is a documentary production from Frostburg State University and Interdependent Pictures in association with Water School. The film explores the need for simple, affordable solutions to global development issues and the role of experience in meaningful, transformative education.

Now Playing | Every year, one million tourists arrive in Boracay to get away from reality… but what is the reality for those who live there and cannot escape it? Documentary filmmaker Kat Jayme travels to Boracay, the crown jewel of the Philippines and her family’s favorite vacation spot — but this time she is not on holiday. With the help of the local children of the island, who make sandcastles for money, she discovers what life is really like on Paradise Island.

Past Presentation | No classroom for these kindergarteners. In Switzerland's Langnau am Albis, a suburb of Zurich, children 4 to 7 years of age go to kindergarten in the woods every day, no matter what the weatherman says. The filmmakers follow the forest kindergarten through the seasons of one school year. This eye-opening film examines the important question of what it is that children need at that age. There is laughter, beauty, and amazement in the process of finding out.

Now Playing | Alfred is the imaginary friend of 9-year-old Daniel. They have come to Iran from England to visit. Daniel’s Iranian grandparents. Dani forgets his imaginary friend. Alfred suddenly finds himself visible to everyone. He accidentally sees a fat girl who is an imaginary friend too. Since she also has this problem. They decide to go to an office where they have seen an advertisement. The Office helps imaginary friends who have lost their abilities and are now visible to everyone.

Past Presentation | New York City is full of eccentric characters, but nobody is like the Wildman. Who else can claim to have made international headlines by getting arrested for eating a dandelion in Central Park? Leading foraging tours and helping people embrace what nature has to offer in the most unexpected places, for decades, Wildman, now 68, a divorced father, is eager to ignite his passion for environmentalism in the younger generation. But can he inspire his own teenage daughter?

Now Playing | You can count the number of female paddlers in Futaleufú, Chile on one hand... and they want to change that. After many riverside matés and floating conversations, the idea to create a kayak course for local teenage girls was hatched. Thanks to a committed group of women from around the globe, what started as a dream is now an inspirational contribution to the local community.

Past Presentation | It's not just 'Old MacDonald' on the farm anymore. All across the U.S. there is a growing movement of educated young people who are leaving the cities to take up an agrarian life. Armed with college degrees, some are unable to find jobs in the current economic slump. Fed up with corporate America and its influence on a broken food system, they aim to solve some of the current system's inequities by growing clean, fair food. Mostly landless, they borrow, rent or manage farmland in order to fulfill their dreams of doing something meaningful with their lives.

Now Playing | What if every person could actually make an impact on the world? “Green Waste” takes an in-depth look at the process of recycling and waste management in the community of Flagstaff. From recycling plastic bags, to re-using glass bottles, from recycling hazardous waste to the efforts of local businesses, the film shows how every contribution, no matter how small, can collectively make the difference for a better tomorrow. Filmed and Produced under the Emerging Filmmakers Program for youth filmmakers.

Past Presentation | Six young people in rural India set out on a journey to find out who is poisoning their sacred river, the Yamuna, causing people and animals to die en masse. When they arrive at the foothills of the Himalayas, a shocking reality unfolds: their river has been “stolen”–replaced by an open flow of sewage, causing a major ecological disaster affecting tens of millions–to which, unknowingly, the whole world contributes. Can they save the river, people’s lives, and their holy land, the very heart of ancient Indian culture?

Now Playing | Swallowtail: An Apprenticeship Story follows six young aspiring farmers as they navigate the rollercoaster season of 2019-2020 in North Central Florida. The film centers on the thoughts and experiences of these apprentices who leave home to live at Swallowtail Farm and how the COVID-19 pandemic turned an already challenging learning experience into an unprecedented one. Throughout their journey, they reflect on issues of food security, sustainability practices, and community.

Now Playing | At the start of the pandemic, in 2020, my then nine-year old daughter began coming to my bed in the middle of the night — something she hadn’t done in years — and I returned to a practice of recording her dreams upon waking. This was a dream she had October 20, 2020 while still living in Brooklyn — before I took her — for her first time ever— to spend half the year living in St. Croix.

Now Playing | Rebel Bells is about an all-girls radical collective located in the Calumet region connecting southeast side Chicago, Illinois and East Chicago in northwest Indiana. The Calumet region is an economically precarious, environmentally-polluted industrial corridor in the U.S. Midwest. The Rebel Bells was started in 2016 by three mothers who are leaders in the environmental justice movements in their respective communities. The goal of the Rebel Bells collective is to teach young girls about social justice and community activism in an empowered and safe environment.

Past Presentation | “We Still Here / Nos Tenemos” introduces the incredible youth of Comerío, Puerto Rico navigating the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, a disaster that brought an unprecedented level of devastation to an island already in economic and political crisis. In the lush mountains in the center of Puerto Rico, 24-year-old Mariangelie Ortiz leads a group of young residents who never thought they would become the leaders of their community, nonetheless find themselves traveling to Washington D.C. to protest in the halls of Congress. Follow them in this coming of age story to find their power and begin creating a sustainable future for themselves and their community.

Now Playing | Join Maya van Rossum, Founder of Green Amendments For The Generations, in her exploration of New Mexico’s biggest environmental issues and the role a NM Green Amendment could play in the fight for environmental justice with: Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, legislative sponsor of the New Mexico Green Amendment; Emma Rose Cohen, CEO/Founder of the sustainable business Final; Beata Tsosie-Peña, Environmental Health and Justice Program Coordinator for Tewa Women United; Artemisio Romero y Carver, founding member of Youth United for Climate Crisis Action (YUCCA); and Dee George and Penny Aucoin, fracking waste accident victims impacted residents of Otis, NM.

Past Presentation | From a series of outwardly inconvenient moments during my first time truly camping and doing so alone, I had the time to discover questions I wanted to bring to light. This film is as much a personal exploration as it is an essay, an ode to an island, and a poetic cracking open of ironies. I went to Cumberland Island at a strange point in my life with the idea of unearthing the controversy around the wild horses and retained rights. What I found, however, was an amazing contradiction in how we envision wilderness. I began the film during the end of my junior year of college and continued the piece as my senior thesis. It is not about right or wrong, black or white, or supplying a definite answer. I simply attempt to step back for a moment and think about the wild. To truly look at an idea we may think we so clearly understand, to question our preconceived notions and examine how we use our words. Thank you for your time, Gabriella Garcia-Pardo

Past Presentation | "Mighty Oak" is a portrait of Dr. Oakleigh Thorne, II, an extraordinary environmental pioneer, transformative educator, joyful musician, and an effective, inspirational leader. The wonder and reverence that Oak sees in the natural world has been a guide through his life. Starting as a child he explored the wild woods of Long Island, often as a photographer or filmmaker. As a teenager he was mentored by a Native American cowboy at a ranch in Wyoming where they would travel on horseback to remote wilderness areas. The experience radically changed the course of his life. He moved on to create non-profit organizations such as Thorne Films, Thorne Ecological Institute, Thorne Nature Experience, and achieved successes in land preservation through community action across the country that preceded the EPA and much of the modern environmental movement. He has directly and immeasurably contributed to the environmental education of hundreds of thousands of youth. His enduring legacy is a significant contribution to the environmental movement and to those he has inspired along the way. This extraordinary 93 year old man continues to mentor young people and spread an environmental consciousness, and with his astounding musical skills, still plays the piano and arranges a cappella music for choral groups. The filmmakers who both have a personal friendship with Oak, followed him for several years as he spread wisdom and joy in his journey through life, whether it be with the music of a bird or the human voice.

Historic hearing will receive submissions from people whose human rights have been affected by climate changeJulian Medina comes from a long line of fishers in the north of Colombia’s Gulf of Morrosquillo who use small-scale and often traditional methods to catch species such as mackerel, tuna and cojinúa.Medina went into business as a young man but was drawn back to his roots, and ended up leading a fishing organisation. For years he has campaigned against the encroachment of fossil fuel companies, pollution and overfishing, which are destroying the gulf’s delicate ecosystem and people’s livelihoods. Continue reading...

Oregon’s third largest district has the largest electric school bus fleet in the state, with 28.

From low birth weight to wildfire smoke, kids can bear the brunt of climate change.

A new study, led by UCL scientists in collaboration with experts from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, reveals that giant sequoia trees, when introduced to...

The legal repression of activism has been fast and frightening, yet it won’t make protesters disappear and only sows divisionYears ago, when Dr Sarah Benn recognised the scale of the climate crisis, she made sure that she was doing all the right things. She recycled, she went vegan, she stopped flying, she voted Green, she signed petitions. It was because she didn’t see real change happening, despite doing all those things, that she then went further. She glued her hand to a building. She sat down in front of an oil terminal. And she stood on a grass verge with a handwritten sign, saying, “Stop New Oil”.Benn’s story will be pretty familiar to anyone with a passing interest in the current wave of climate protest. This wave grew out of deep frustration with existing avenues for change. And it did feel, for a time, as if these protests might be a catalyst for the wider shift that so many people recognised was urgently needed. The marches and sit-downs sparked so much sympathy and curiosity, even with politicians from Michael Gove to Dawn Butler. I remember walking along a street on an Extinction Rebellion march in 2019 and people were cheering from their windows. A big part of all the early protests was outreach, with protesters talking to people on the streets, in communities and workplaces, and finding eager responses. Continue reading...

The winning photographs capture moving moments in the midst of tumultuous global events

Decision by European court of human rights around vulnerability of older women to heatwaves marks significant shiftA landmark legal ruling at the European court of human rights could open the floodgates for a slew of new court cases around the world, experts have said.The Strasbourg-based court said earlier this week that Switzerland’s failure to do enough to cut its national greenhouse gas emissions was a clear violation of the human rights of a group of more than 2,000 older Swiss women. The women argued successfully that their rights to privacy and family life were being breached because they were particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of heatwaves. Continue reading...

Their message isn't new, but it is gaining urgency as funding for green energy projects grows.

The ongoing Gaza war and worsening humanitarian crisis have led to protests and put politicians on the spot in California and elsewhere. And as the calls for a ceasefire have grown louder, voters have been trying to find ways to make their voices heard. In states including Michigan, Hawaii and Minnesota, Democrats voted “uncommitted” to […]

Women play a critical role in sustainable development, combatting climate change, and taking care of our natural resources. But industry needs to do more to support them. The post From Glass Ceilings to Green Houses: More Women Are Needed in Green Industry appeared first on The Revelator.