Many local, provincial, national and international organizations have campaigns to raise awareness of climate change and promote climate solutions. If you want to take action on climate change, but you’re not really sure where to start, consider joining an existing campaign and focus your energy on raising awareness and promoting action within your local community.
Participate in a climate event organized by a local group
Help the City of Toronto promote TransformTO using some of the resources included in the Climate Change in Toronto section [hyperlink] of this guide
Participate in tree planting events in parks and conservation areas being organized by the City of Toronto, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) or another community group
Volunteer for a community garden project being implemented near your school
Sign climate action petitions being circulated by climate action groups (e.g., 350.org, Stand Earth) and share with your networks on social media
Invite a group to make a presentation about clean, green technologies, e.g. The Clean Air Partnership’s campaign to promote heat pumps as an alternative to fuel based furnaces
Perform an energy and/or waste audit at your school and report your findings to the school community
Organize/participate in a climate action event at your school (e.g. National Sweater Day, Earth Hour, International Walk to School Month)
“It is important for youth to be aware of what is going on in our world today. The effects of climate change will only get worse as time goes on, and we need to be and make the change. It is important for us, as young people, to take matters into our own hands and help make a positive impact. Joining causes and networking with other groups is an excellent way to do so. You will build new relationships with peers with the same goal in mind. This will not only be an awesome learning experience, but will also be a commitment to a great cause.”
-Muhammed, TDSB Student
If you want to have a successful campaign that meets your own targets as well as those of the organization you are joining, it’s best to make a plan! You may want to use the Community Climate Action Plan template to guide your work (make a copy in your own Google account or print out).
Think carefully about what kind of campaign you can successfully pull off with the time, people and other resources available to you. Here are a few questions to consider:
What kind of climate action is your group most interested in? Do you have a particular area of focus (e.g., energy, waste, transportation, food, education, policy)?
What group(s) already have a campaign that you can tap into, that matches up with your interests and local needs? What resources do they have that you can use and adapt to your school or community?
What do you want the campaign to achieve?
How will you spread word of your campaign?
How will you delegate tasks among the members of your group?
Humbercrest P.S. and other TDSB schools participate in Fridays for Future Climate Strikes
During the 2019-20 school year, students in primary and junior grades at Humbercrest PS created their own signs and marched around the school neighbourhood in solidarity with Fridays for Future and the climate strikes.
Title: Raising Awareness at our school and in our neighbourhood
Source: Humbercrest PS
The climate campaigns landscape is dynamic with new initiatives cropping up all of the time. You will have to do a little research to find out what climate groups are currently doing and how you can participate. Check out the Work with Partners section of this guide for more information about climate action groups that may have ongoing campaigns you can tap into.
The TDSB’s Environment, Energy and Climate Action website includes a list of annual environmental events and activities you can join and help organize at your school or in your community.
This video was part of the TDSB Virtual Youth Climate Action Summit on February 13, 2022. Watch the entire series on YouTube.