Children can already see the impacts of climate change right here on the coast and they are worried.
BOWEN ISLAND, B.C. — When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched an expanded oceans protection plan from Bowen Island last week, kids were watching.
“There’s no time to wait. Let’s do all we can now to stop the accelerating decline of marine habitats and biodiversity in Canada and around the world,” said Andrea Koehle Jones , Founder and Children’s Climate Education Advocate of non-profit climate education organization The ChariTree Foundation. “Kids everywhere are counting on Trudeau and all of us all to protect ocean ecosystems and act on climate change now.”
A new wave of ocean protections
Trudeau announced The Oceans Protection Plan 2.0 with an additional pledge of $2 billion over the next nine years adding to the $1.5 billion already designated for ocean protection. The announcement comes a year after kids saw the historic heat dome decimate starfish and shellfish populations up and down the BC coast.
“The Oceans Protection Plan 2.0 is about moving forward with new, bold action with partners from coast to coast to coast to protect and restore our oceans,” Trudeau said. “We’ll take action to combat emerging threats to our marine safety and ecosystems and we’ll strengthen partnerships with Indigenous peoples.”
“Climate change is already a humanitarian crisis and kids are worried. They can already see the impacts right here on the coast,” said Koehle Jones. “It is so hopeful, especially for children and youth to learn about meaningful efforts to protect ocean biodiversity for future generations.”
The ChariTree Foundation is a national children’s environmental education and United Nations Climate Observer organization based on Bowen Island where Trudeau announced a new wave of ocean protections on July 19th.
Kids care about climate change and want to help
It’s about working together to help make the world a better place. Koehle Jones says children and teens tell her they want to work with parents, teachers, Indigenous leaders, environmentalists — everyone who is willing to work together towards creative, inclusive, hopeful and lasting positive changes. “Let’s support kids and provide opportunities for them to be part of the climate solution too!”
(Photos by Andrea Koehle Jones)
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This report by The ChariTree Foundation’s Outdoor Parent News was first published July 29, 2022.