GREENING NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

FROM THE BLUE OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, to the green of the pine clad hills, a generous donation to the Johnson GEO Centre and its sister site, the MUN Botanical Garden, is powering a climate change-focused project that will create a tangible impact on youth, communities and a more environmentally-vibrant Newfoundland and Labrador.

Known as the Climate Collective, the project is about connecting youth with experts in the field of climate innovation to join forces and become part of the solution for climate change.

GEO Centre/Botanical Garden director, Kim Shipp, is excited about the new hands-on educational programming to be offered.

“We know the youth in our province are passionate about addressing climate change,” she said.

“We are just as passionate about connecting like-minded youth with each other across the province, as well as with researchers, industry leaders and decision- makers to make a difference in our own backyard and beyond.”

The establishment of a powerhouse network that includes Memorial University and external organizations and industries operating in the provincial climate innovation sector strives to connect the dots to create systemic change for a greener future.

Kate Murphy, the project coordinator for the Climate Collective, explained that the vision is to produce a new network of like- minded people to design a collection of small-scale, actionable initiatives.

“This initiative is for the do-ers,” said Ms. Murphy. “At youth climate summits, interested young people will develop climate action plans together to reduce carbon emissions in schools and communities.”

Such programs include composting, ride- share, water bottle refilling stations or community gardens.

Through passion, a desire for change and a drive for a better future, philanthropy is empowering the people of Memorial and of Newfoundland and Labrador to make tomorrow’s sunrise brighter.

The pilot project will run until August of 2022.

Any youth who would like to be involved can email kate.murphy@mun.ca.