January 2012 #2: Sophie Harrison

“I didn’t do anything to deserve being born in Canada” says January 2012’s second youth of the Month, the humble Sophie Harrison.

It’s so rare to find a youth so passionate about climate change in today’s society that is driven by fast cars, popular electronic devices, and an obscene amount of energy usage. Nonetheless, we have found our diamond in the rough this month, Sophie, a young woman who passionately states and truly believes that “climate change is the greatest challenge of our generation”!

Just an average girl, playing on a Metro soccer team and running cross country as well as partaking in theatre at Prince of Wales Secondary in her spare time, Sophie can also be found volunteering the rest of her time with the environmental organization she started in 2010, Kids for Climate Action.

It all stemmed from a trip to India where Harrison volunteered alongside her mom at the Ashraya Initiative for Children where she spent twelve hour days teaching nursery school classes and immersing herself into the heavily impoverished community. In her words, the conditions were “appalling.” This was when she realized that she didn’t do anything to deserve being born in Canada and that she needed to bring change in order to earn how lucky she is to be born in Canada. This is where her passion for climate change came into play.

She wants the world to realize that it is not okay for rich countries to pollute while poor countries are suffering. The more we pollute, the more the crops in the third world countries (their means of survival) will deplete. With that being said, Sophie created Kids for Climate Action because she realized that although there are a lot of environmental causes in schools focused on individuals making a difference, there needs to be a MOVEMENT, something to get everyone involved instead. “I can’t wait until I graduate from University to make a difference and be an activist. I need to act now, it’s the future world for my children”. Sophie also brings about an interesting notion: if we, the people, don’t make the environment a priority, the government will not feel it is a priority either.

Lastly, this young woman eager to make a change leaves us with some useful tips!
1. Make changes in your own life – little things do make a difference.
2. Do the little things to make a difference, BUT realize that it’s NOT enough.
3. Ride your bike, take transit, and walk wherever you can

Sophie urges us to realize that “NOW is the pivotal time in earth’s history, so get involved in any way that you can”

Click HERE to nominate someone you think deserves to be named Y57′s Youth of the Month!

About the Author: Zahra Premji

Her headphones in, music blasting, and of course groovin' to the beat of the day literally no matter where she is! This is how you'll find Zahra on most days, whether it be while writing papers or bungee jumping. Adventurous and spontaneous are probably the best words that describe her and her lust for travel and discovery from Australia to Africa. Zahra loves what she does because she enjoys digging up the facts and using her voice to tell the stories that may not be heard otherwise. Considering she is just about done her Major in Communications at SFU she hopes to make her dreams a reality and take the steps towards becoming a Television Broadcaster.

Random

Volunteers are needed for Homelessness Action Week events throughout Metro Vancouver, BC and the Yukon starting in September 2011. There are a record number of events planned for people who are homeless this fall. Visit their website for more info at stophomelessness.ca Contact Name: Helesia Luke Contact Email: info@ethosstrategygroup.com Photo from www.thev3h.comHomeless Action Week Volunteers

Dancers of all ages gathered in the grand studio of 505 Hamilton Street May 24, 2011, to learn from choreographers that have personally worked with Usher and are currently on tour with him. These choreographers are renowned in the art of Hip Hop dance, offering inspirational words and promise forThe Official Usher OMG Tour Workshop

If there is only one word to describe Mary Leong, it may very well be "ardent." No, she is not an ardent follower, but rather, an ardent role model. Having a keen interest in politics, and currently pursuing a political science major, Mary organized a vote mob at UBC thisMay 2011 #2: Mary Leong

Baker’s Market Who: Foodies, Cupcakes lovers, and Cookie Monsters What: If you have a "sweet tooth", this is the place for you. Inspired by traditional farmers markets in Vancouver, this market is even better since it is indoors with lots of free parking too. You'll find talented budding, professional or home bakers sellingThe Sweetest Event in Vancouver...

This comes from a fairly popular TedTalks video I watched a few months ago. In it, British author Ken Robinson talks about changing paradigms in education. It's a fairly unfocused and broad topic, but he manages to make a few interesting points--albeit potentially controversial ones. Let's take a look first; and then decide for ourselves. EveryChanges In Education

Are you excited for the Vancouver International Film Festival coming to town next month? If you have been planning to go, you should definitely check out the Reel Youth Film Festival, the festival within a festival. RYFF is a Vancouver-based project that shows work of talented young filmmakers around the world, starting withReel Youth