One of the great ironies of our time is that young people are working the most towards fighting climate change, yet they are the group that suffers the most and is the most disenfranchised in the climate change and sustainability discourse. One of the contributing factors for this is that a lot of climate change work depends on people volunteering their time and skills, which creates a barrier for anyone who has the motivation to learn about climate justice but doesn’t have the economic means or know-how to pursue climate justice work.
How can this be addressed? One way is by opening the door for youth to enter jobs and careers in the rising low-carbon sector, as well as supporting them to engage in work that is beneficial for their communities. One organization championing this cause is the Youth Climate Corps BC (YCCBC), helmed by executive director Ben Simoni. YCCBC embarks on a mission to counter the climate crisis through regenerative justice, equipping young individuals with the skills to spearhead climate action projects. These programs span 4 to 6 months, offering participants insights into climate science, community projects, and pathways to careers in climate action. Over 75% of participants in these programs will continue to work in a climate action job or continue education in the field!
Simoni underscores the imperative of addressing climate anxiety among youth and fostering a resilient workforce to lead climate initiatives.”More youth want to work within their values,” Simoni asserts, highlighting a growing inclination towards careers intersecting with climate action and justice. One example Ben shared that demonstrates the growing opportunities in this sector is a hiring initiative by the American Climate Corps, aiming to emulate job creation efforts in Canada across sectors such as forestry and clean energy. There is the hope of creating the same project and work opportunities for the YCCBC in Canada*.
YCCBC strives to dismantle accessibility barriers, notably financial constraints, by providing a living wage to program participants. This commitment to financial inclusivity sets YCCBC apart, ensuring that economic status does not hinder youth from engaging in climate action. Additionally, the organization tackles educational barriers by offering comprehensive training and skill-building opportunities to all participants.
As a non-profit organization, they actively look for funding to support their projects in British Columbia and to be able to pay livable wages to the youth workers. Often they’ll find funding partners with local governments, however, acquiring those funds can take a long time and requires jumping through bureaucratic hoops. This is why the funding provided by The Youth Harbour Action Grant was so supportive. The flexibility of the funding is particularly helpful, especially when looking for funds for indigenous-led initiatives where there is no direct control on the ground.
When asked which project he found particularly interesting, Ben laughingly responded, “all of them are interesting!”. One recent project is the Kwakwaka’wakw revitalization project, which focused on cultural resurgence, youth empowerment, and support from the elders and matriarchy. This was one project that Ben considered one of the organization’s major achievements because they were able to develop a strong relationship with the community. Building strong community relationships remains pivotal for YCCBC, facilitating collaboration on impactful projects. Looking ahead, the organization endeavors to scale its programs across British Columbia, lobbying governments for increased funding and expanding its reach.
Ben explained that what brings him purpose in this work is “seeing young people emerge as leaders in their community.” He also mentioned that it can be difficult to measure the impact of the projects because they have to use different methods depending on the project and community. One way they measure their impact is by tracking climate action days—7000 of these have been completed so far since their inception! Another way is through participation numbers, and since launching in 2020 over 80 youth participated in their programs.
As YCCBC embarks on future endeavors, the horizon brims with opportunities for youth to catalyze climate action and justice in their communities. With a supportive network and a commitment to empowerment, the path is paved for youth to emerge as stewards and leaders in the fight against climate change.
*YCCBC headquarters is grateful to be located on the traditional and unceded lands of the Sinixt, the Syilx, and the Ktunaxa.