Youth are Tackling the Biodiversity Crisis
A chat with the Canadian Youth Biodiversity Network.
Canada and many countries alike, have gravely fallen short of their biodiversity targets, particularly in setting aside 17 per cent of territories by the end of the 2020. The alarming rate of biodiversity loss has incited additional targets set at 30 per cent by 2030. On the heels of this set back and the new ambitions, are youth members who fear what these shortcomings mean for their generation and the next.
In recent years, a global surge in youth advocates and organizations, outraged at biodiversity loss have fuelled momentum for the protection of nature. Despite an often dire picture, youth have refused to give up on what they believe is imperative to a healthy environment, society and economy – thriving biodiversity.
Aleks Spasevski is one of the founding members of the Canadian Youth Biodiversity Network (CYBN). CYBN is the Canadian chapter of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), founded in 2010 by a small group of young people from 13 countries who were motivated by the idea of building a global network of young people to fight against biodiversity loss.
It has grown to become a network of 280 member organizations from 140 countries, representing more than half a million young people worldwide. Aleks’ mission at CYBN is to strengthen this network within Canada and to connect youth groups fighting for biodiversity protection to similar groups around the world.
The Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) is a proud supporter of CYBN and the two networks have collaborated in the past. RCEN, like CYBN, tackles issues in biodiversity through their Biodiversity Caucus. The Biodiversity Caucus at RCEN works to influence all sectors of society to recognize and act in a way that reflects that biodiversity and resilient ecosystems are the basis for all life.
This month, we had the pleasure of speaking to Aleks on how youth are stepping up for the protection of biodiversity and the challenges from a youth perspective. The conversation has been edited and paraphrased for length and clarity.
What are some of the challenges in working with youth towards conserving biodiversity?
At CYBN, we are lucky to have a lot of connections; however, keeping and maintaining those connections is challenging, particularly with other youth groups. The players are always changing and it is difficult to maintain connections in a constantly changing system. Another challenge is time. Most youths (18-25) are so busy with other commitments like school, jobs and volunteering that they do not have the time to take on another project.
Why is youth participation so important in the decision-making process at all levels?
Youth offer a very unique perspective on things - a perspective that adults and decision-makers will not necessarily see. A lot of important issues are occurring at the ground level where youth are present.
Youth are perceiving community needs and solutions from a different lens. It is also proven in research that youth have a unique mind. We are at a peak innovation period in which our brains are malleable and are able to create solutions more efficiently. It's been proven through research that we are creating innovative solutions constantly and that is only fostered by the environment we are in.
To help foster this innovative thinking, CYBN was created with no real hierarchical decision-making structure. There is no status quo to appeal to, no board of directors or executives, making it more appealing to youth as there is no rigid structure. We understand that this approach is not for everyone, but having an environment like this fosters creativity for youth leaders.
Have you found that youth are not taken seriously strictly due to their age?
Yes, it is difficult for youth to be taken seriously.
For example, CYBN attended a convention pertaining to the environment. An attendee from a generation before said something along the lines of “youth do not care about the environment, all they care about is playing video games”. This comment was made despite many youth being involved in this convention because they do care greatly about the environment.
There is a stigma that youth should have to earn their spot in society and face barriers that the generation before faced. In truth, youth should be supported as much as possible because they do care and have to face barriers of their own. On a positive note, companies and organizations are increasingly recognizing youth potential and there are more jobs available than ever.
With the rise of technology, studies have shown that youth appear to have less of a connection to nature. What impact do you think this has on getting youth involved in biodiversity conservation?
Yes, there is more of a disconnect to the environment. A huge way to connect youth back to the environment is education. There has been a lot of government cuts to funding in environmental education and there is little environmental literacy in schools. I am hopeful that an increase in education will solve this environmental disconnect with youth.
An upside to technology is that information spreads fast. Environmental issues go viral very quickly and this helps connect youth to these issues. For example, bringing reusable cups to coffee shops and not using straws to cut down on plastic consumption gained a lot of traction worldwide. In this sense, we can use technology and the Internet to our advantage.
What would you say to a young person who feels as though there is nothing that they can do and who feel as though their actions have little to no influence?
We do have an influence. We have the power to buy and to sell. Although not all solutions can or will apply to everyone’s lives, we need to make decisions in our own lives to work towards the common goal of biodiversity protection. We acknowledge that an individual step is a step towards a collective step. Even if it is just a little step, if we are making it as a whole, we are raising our standards of living and taking a step together.
How can youth get involved?
Join CYBN! We connect youth to different organizations and get them on the right track. We have a pre-youth group (<18), a youth group (18-30), and mentors (>30). The only requirement is that you have a meaningful connection to Canada.
Becoming a CYBN member will build your capacity to be a youth advocate for nature. Another good way for youth to get involved is to connect through their community, such as a local environmental group. Getting out there and asking is a step on its own.
Humanity is at the root cause of this predicament and we have a civil responsibility to put our resources, time and motivations into its remedy. There are actions that everyday people can take to protect biodiversity, such as eliminating single-use items, recycling and repurposing items, supporting local farms, and walking or taking public transportation rather than driving.
Ultimately, biodiversity loss affects us all. Environmental degradation trickles down effects into all sectors. Supporting those that work tirelessly into solutions has never been more important. Consider joining CYBN or our members at RCEN in the journey to sustainability, environmental stewardship and thriving ecosystems.
Written by Shelby Howard, RCEN Volunteer Content Creator.
Shelby graduated with Honours from the Environmental Science program at Carleton University in 2020. Shelby is passionate about sustainability, species at risk and conservation and is excited to contribute her skills to the RCEN cause.
