December 11thInCert December 11
Hi! I'm Nora Bergen-Braun. I am a grade 10 student at RJC high school and a member of the Osler Mennonite Church youth group.
Climate change is a huge concern for me and my friends. There was a time in my life where just hearing the word "climate" would start my heart racing, even in the context of, like, politics.
You can imagine that when my youth group began discussing the environment, it was not easy. It often felt hopeless, and I left feeling frustrated and exhausted. That changed when we began to take action.
Our youth group organized a chili fundraiser, which kicked off our green fund! On the wall, we hung a sheet of paper where people were invited to write or draw their ideas for a greener OMC. People drew solar panels, trees, carpooling, and, "more chili!". We also have a Sarcan code that church members can use to raise money while recycling! Win-win!
Just recently, we used money from the green fund, as well as a grant from Mennonite Church Canada to replace our church's old, inefficient water heater. Our new one is a fraction of the size and only heats the water that the church needs. We are going to keep fundraising and helping our church be a good resident of planet Earth.
It is hard and scary to talk about climate change. I've learned that it gets easier when you take action and start looking for ways to help. One of the best things you can do as just one person is to write an email to your government officials. It is your right as a citizen of a democratic nation to contact government officials. Boom! Grade 10 social studies! It is also super easy! Write to your MLA and MP. Be sure to C.C. the opposition. You can say something as simple as, "I am concerned about the climate crisis. Do better."
If I can do this (which I have) so can you. We need to make our voices heard. I'm a 15 year old girl living in the Martensville-Warman riding. I can't vote, and some new government policies hurt me and my friends directly. I'm not exactly the demographic that people in power listen to. But that's a different discussion. Anyway, let's take action and put pressure on the government to do better.
In conclusion, it's easy to doom spiral. I've been there. When we take action, we feel more hopeful. We need to have these hard conversations, and we need to make plans and put them into action. We can do this!
Sincerely, Nora