In early June members of the Environement Jeunesse, Global Exchange, Indigenous Environmental Network, Sierra Youth Coalition, and Youth Environment Network came together to try to address the Canadian government's unwillingness to exceed (or even meet) our commitments under the Kyoto protocol, the continued development of the Alberta Tar Sands and our continued reliance on oil, coal, nuclear and other dirty energy sources across the country, and to talk about how to kick start a national movement of youth to address the most pressing issue of our times -- human induced global climate change.

The result of that conversation generated a profound conclusion: This is the challenge of our generation -- acting together, we can substantially improve Canada's mitigation of climate change, and save our future in the process. We need everyone concerned about our future to come together and create a movement too strong to be denied.

Why a youth climate movement?

Young people have one of the most legitimate voices to speak out on climate change because it is OUR future that is at stake. The climate does not have time for voluntary commitments; we need drastic reductions, binding commitments and bold leadership today... so we want to build it!!

Fortunately, it's not too late to turn the political tide in Canada but we need your voice, your energy, and you body in action to do it.

There is no doubt we can solve this problem. In fact, we have a moral obligation to do so. The time to come together to solve this problem is now -- IT'S TIME TO TAKE ACTION.

The Summit:

The 2006 Summit held at the University of Toronto brought together over 60 young leaders from organizations across the country to tackle one of the greast challenges of our time. They have banded together to form the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition. This non-partisan, cross-sector group with representatives from every region in Canada aims to politically prioritize the urgency of the climate crisis, as a response to government inaction. The group has developed a declaration that is both a call to action and a list of demands for the current government.

Download our Youth Climate Declaration now!

Organizations represented at the summit came from student societies, private sector companies, aboriginal and Métis groups, human-rights groups, and environmental groups. Through passionate debate, negotiation and late nights, the group worked to define its purpose, goals, structure and campaigns. Member groups will be launching government pressure campaigns as early as September 18, when Parliament reconvenes.

This Coalition will allow us to:

• Perform strong, targeted national and local actions to raise awareness and pressure policy makers.
• Create and advocate for a better vision of Canada's future, with broad support and diverse input.
• Share knowledge, resources, creativity and good humour to solve the most pressing problem of our generation.
• Develop coordinated media and campaign strategies to more effectively communicated the importance of climate change to young Canadians.

Why are you telling me all this?

We are writing to you because we would like your organization support and participation in this movement building process. We want to bring as many different youth voices to the table as we can because this is an issue of national concern and scope while its affects and responses will vary locally.

We need your voice. We need your actions.

Register your organization - email Mike at mike@globalexchange.org